HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/12/1990
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PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1990 - 7:30 P.M.
PRESENT:
Mayor W. Arthurs
COUNCILLORS:
M. Brenner - Chairman
D. Dickerson
R. Johnson
B. Mitchell
B. Morgan
K. Van Kempen
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ALSO PRESENT:
K. McKay
N. Carroll
T. Melymuk
C. Rose
- Deputy Clerk
- Director of Planning
- Deputy Director of Planning
- Manager, Policy and Special Projects Division
(I) ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting of October 18, 1990.
(II)
MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
1.
ALTONA FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STUDY
FILE NUMBER - B 2310
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In Planning Report 16/90, it is recommended that the Final
Phase I Report of the Altona Forest Environmental
Management Study, Official Plan amendments, Development
Pl an amendment and al ternati ve road pattern di scussi ons be
approved.
Referred to the Minister
of the Environment
See Recommendation #1
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Catheri ne Rose, provi ded i nformati on on the hi ri ng of the
environmental consulting firm to undertake an Environmental
Management Study of the Altona Forest. She stated the
Staff Recommendation for a forest based on biological
criteria is outlined in Planning Report 16/90.
Dan Gregory, Michael Michalski Associates, outlined the
report's findings and data collection on forest types, wild
life and vegetation in the A1tona Forest and its
environmental features and biological significance. Every
effort should be made to retain the forest in its entirety,
however, two development options, one based on a biological
approach and the other on an urban/recreation potential
approach were provided as well as recommendations for
preservation and conservation.
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Steve Marshall, Chairman of the Save the Rouge Valley
System, spoke in opposition to the Staff Recommended Plan.
He stated that the forest is one of the 1 ast major natural
forests in urban Pickering and is worthy of preservation in
its entirety. The consequences of development on the lands
would results in a loss of a natural habitat and wildl ife
refuge. He requested that the consultants' report be
received and that the Official Plan amendments, Development
Plan amendments and alternative road pattern be referred to
staff to examine alternatives and investigate options for a
mechani sm to acqui re the forest in partnershi p with the
Province, landowners and the community.
Glen Debarmaker, member of the Federation of Ontario
Natural i sts, stated the Al tona Forest has Provi nci a 1 and
national significance and that rare species of vegetation
and wildlife should be protected. He requested that the
forest be retained by public acquisition and that land use
policies be established to preserve it for the future.
...
Dr. Ronald Ornstein, International Wildlife Coalition,
spoke in support of retai ni ng the enti re forest. He stated
the consultants' report did not include ecological options,
fi sca 1 a 1 ternati ves or joi nt ventures with 1 andowners and
the Province in negotiating to acquire the forest.
Cheryl Redman, 1366 Fordon Avenue, student, stated that the
forest and animals should be protected.
Ken Johnstone, 750 Cobblers Court, student representing the
Save The Envi ronment Pl ease requested that the forest be
retained for the future.
Lois James, Director of the Green Door Alliance
requested that the Altona Forest be retained in order
to preserve significant flora and fauna within the
Petticoat Creek Watershed for naturalists and
students. She stated the Green Door All i ance favours
a natural and farml and trust to manage 1 ands in the
public interest.
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Ed Hanna, 1886 Bowl er Dri ve, stated the consul tants I
report was well done but that a full range of
alternatives is not included. He asked how the two
options were evaluated, how the size of the forest for
each option was determined and what are the physical,
biological, social and economic implications in each
alternative. He requested a deferral until these
questions are answered.
Chai Holcoval, 159 Glenholm, Toronto, stated the study
is limited in its integration with the Greater Toronto
Area and that there should be more integrated planning
of the forest area before a final decision is made.
Rob Taylor, 1799 Foleyet Crescent, representing
Students Acti ng For the Envi ronment at Dunbarton Hi gh
School, opposed an urban forest. He stated the forest
is nationally and internationally significant and
should remain in its natural state so that animals
don't relocate.
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Brian Hedshaw, representing the Pickering Naturalists,
stated the forest should be retained in its entirety
due to its significant flora, fauna, bird life and
di versi ty of vegetati on. He felt that the Commi ttee
has not investigated acquisition alternatives and that
preserving the environment is a high priority.
Fran Pereria, St. Marguerite Bourgeois Separate School
Parent Teacher Association, stated that the school was
built to accommodate 500 students and that 600 are
enrolled. She requested that the proposed school site
in the forest be approved to help alleviate other
overcrowded schools.
Laura Sutton, St. Monica Separate School Parent
Teacher Associ ati on, stated that the school was bui 1 t
to accommodate 379 students and that 725 are
enrolled. More residential development in the area is
approved and another school is requi red desperately.
She requested that the 1 ands be severed in order to
permit a school on site and that the forest be dealt
with later.
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Ell i e Ell is, Gwendolyn Street, understands that funds
for a school are available from the Ministry of
Education, that the Friends of A1tona Forest are not
opposed to a unique outdoor school facility and that
P1 anni ng staff and wi 11 work together wi th resi dents
to find a suitable site. She also had 300 letters
from concerned parents requesting that a school be
buil t.
(IV)
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 11 :35 p.m.
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Dated December 18th 1990
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TOWN OF PICKERING
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That the Planning Committee of the Town of Pickering having met
on December 12, 1990, presents its ni nth report to Counci 1 and
recommends:
1. ALTONA FOREST ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STUDY
FILE NUMBER - B 23100
That the A1tona Forest Environmental Management Study
be referred to The Honourable Ruth Grier, Minister of
the Environment for review and comment with respect to
environmental issues within the Forest area as .they
relate to the Greenlands Strategy Report and the
Watershed Report; and
That the Mi ni ster be requested to revi ew and comment
on the overall context of Provincial interest as it
may relate within the A1tona Forest; and
That the Minister be requested to consider a hearing
under the Environmental Assessment Act.
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