HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/06/1989
PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989 - 7:30 P.M.
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PRESENT:
Mayor W. Arthurs
COUNCILLORS:
M. Brenner
D. Dickerson - Chairman
R. Johnson
B. Morgan
K. Van Kempen
ALSO PRESENT:
B. Taylor
T. Magi
T. r1elymuk
C. Rose
- Town Clerk
- Director of Planning
- Manager - Policy and Information Division
- Planner
ABSENT:
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Councillor Mitchell - (attending C.L.O.C.A.)
(I) ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Regular Meeting of May 16, 1989.
(II) MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION
1. ALTONA FOREST AREA
LAND USE STUDY
FILE NUMBER - B 1000
In Planning Report 30/89, it is recommended that amendments
to the Pi ckeri ng Di stri ct Pl an for 1 ands wi thi n the Al tona
Forest Area of the Highbush Community be approved.
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Recommendation pertaining to amendments to the Pickerin
1 stn ct Pl an was referred back to determl ne a ternati ves
for linklng the envlronmentally sensitive areas.
Recommendations pertaining to See Recommendations #1 and #2
the hirlng of an environmental
consultant and the Development
Plan were approved as amended
Catherine Rose, Planner II, gave an overview of the Altona
Forest Land Use Study as outlined in Planning Report 30/89.
Dr. Bruce Falls, representing the University of Toronto,
stated that he teaches ecology and often takes classes to the
Spi ers property on Altona Road for 1 essons. He is concerned
about the preservation of the Altona Forest and is encouraged
that the Pl anni ng Department recogni zes thi s. There must be
a substantial forest base in order to preserve pl ants and
vJildlife. Also, forests must be connected in order to allow
for the movement of wi 1 dl i fe. He stated that the two areas
in the Study designated as forests are too small, not in the
best area and are not connected.
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2/89
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Dr. Ronald Orenstein, representing the Wildlife Coalition,
stated that he has worked in the Altona Forest area. He
supported Dr. Fall s I comments and added that much data has
been gathered from the Altona Forest that can be compared in
the future. The areas designated as a forest are too small
and do not provi de for a buffer zone or a connecti ng 1 ink.
He recommended that the Study be referred back to staff and
that the envi ronmental consul tant be hi red to provi de
information prior to the development of the plan. The forest
areas can be purchased by raising money through levies,
contributions from developers and the taxpayers.
t1r. Jim Robb, representing the Save the Rouge organization,
stated that he agrees wi th the comments made by the previ ous
speakers. He is confident that the Provincial government
will designate the Rouge River system as a provincial park
but felt that the Altona Forest should be connected to it by
the hydro right-of-way. He suggested that the Ontario
Heritage Foundati on may provi de assi stance to preserve the
forest. If development in the study area is intensified, it
woul d provi de fundi ng through 1 evi es to purchase more forest
1 ands. The envi ronmental consultant shoul d be retai ned to
study the affected area and suggest alternatives before the
plan is approved. The forest could be an ecological reserve
used for study by chil dren. The Al tona Forest is nati onally
significant because of the special species of wildlife and
plants located there. There should be corridors of forest to
connect the desi gnated forests to the hydro ri ght-of-way to
the north and the open space areas to the south.
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Mr. Ed Hanna, Bowler Drive, stated that a biologist or
environmentalist can only tell Council of the implications of
its decisions. There is a connection between the natural and
economic environment and Council must look to see how the
Altona Forest area will affect Pickering. The planning
process has been inadequate because of the 1 ack of
information given to the public, there has been no exchange
of information until this meeting and environmental studies
were not carried out prior to making decisions. He stated
that a Pl anni ng Advi sory Commi ttee woul d be benefi ci a 1 and
would study a plan like this very well. Other municipalities
have preserved natural forests because the political will has
been there to do so. He recommended that the planners start
over with this Study and get proper input from specialists.
rk. Gord Gillard, representing the Coalition of Pickering,
asked why so many meetings were held before it was felt that
an environmental planner is needed. The Study should provide
for controlled and educated development. He stated that he
has not had any doclJmentati on to properl y comment on thi s
Study.
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Katherine ~1urray, representing the Coalition of Pickering,
stated that the issue of the Al tona Forest has been ongoi ng
since 1980 and the developers knew the land was
environmentally sensitive when they bought it. Past Councils
have promised that the area would be properly studied but to
date, citizens have not had sufficient information to provide
informed input. Many residents are not aware of this Study
because of limited circulation and the Planning Department
has not provided sufficient documentation to the public.
Letters of comment from the Naturalists and other groups are
not i ncl uded in the Pl anni ng Report and no responses were
given. The area is significant enough that the plan should
be referred back for a proper environmental and ecological
study.
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(III)
2/89
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t<1r. Vic Rudick, Rcsebank Road, stated that the issue of the
forest lands was bungled in 1981 and 1982 because the
initiative to purchase the forest lands was not pursued. It
is naive to expect Bramalea Limited and other land owners to
gi ve up property for the preservation of the forest.
Pi ckeri ng is a very urbani zed communi ty and it is diffi cult
to purchase 1 arge tracts of 1 and wi thout debenturi ng. The
Council should ask if it is prepared to allow high density or
commercial development to make up for lost revenues from
developable land lost to forests. flore damage is done to
forest lands through engineering services such as sewers than
any other aspect of development. He stated that he has never
had probl ems getti ng i nformati on from the Pl anni ng Staff but
felt that more information should be made available to the
public.
Mrs. Brenda Davies, representing the Cherrywood and Area
Ratepayers Associ ati on, stated that the City of Mi ssi ssauga
has preserved prime forest 1 ands. Pi ckeri ng has been
subjected to poor planning in areas like Seaton and is
reflected in this Study. She stated that Petticoat Creek may
be affected by develoment and pointed out that the Study does
not provide for traffic patterns. Her Association does not
support this plan.
Anna Fraser of the law firm of Goodman and Carr, representing
Bramalea Limited, stated that she supports the Study with
some minor reservations which are outlined in a letter dated
June 6, 1989. The firm of Cosburn, Giberson retained a
professor from York University who is an environmental
specialist to carry out a study of the ecology in the Altona
Forest. This report was not required by the Town but
Bramalea chose to have it done and made it available to the
Planning Department and ultimately to the public. The Altona
Forest area has been desi gnated for development si nce 1981
and Bramalea owned these lands prior to that date. Bramalea
has not put any oi 1 in the creeks, bull dozed any trees or
damaged the land in any other way. Bramalea agrees there
should be a link between the sensitive areas. The Altona
Forest is already under pressure because the water table is
lowering due to development. It would be better to identify
a viable part of the forest for preservation and there should
be a statement in the Official Plan outlining how the forest
will be acquired. Strouds Lane should be entirely on
Bramalea lands to provide for better servicing options.
Criteria should be established for what lands should be
acqui red for forest as opposed to setti ng mi nimum si zes for
forest 1 ands. The future road patters shoul d be set out in
this Study as opposed to the Development Plan to let
landowners know exactly what to expect.
ADJOURNf1ENT
The Meeting adjourned at the hour of 12:20 a.m.
Da ted
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/~------ Chairman
TOWN OF PICKERING
The Planning Committee of the Town of Pickering having met on June 6,
1989, presents its second report to Council and recommends:
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1. ALTONA FOREST AREA
LAND USE STUDY
FILE NUMBER - B 1000
That Town Council authorize Planning staff to initiate
requests for proposals from interested Environmental
Consultants to assist in the formulation and implementation
of an environmental management process for the Altona
Forest Area, as set out in Appendix No. II to Town Planning
Report No. 30/89;
and review recommended amendments to the Pickering District
Plan as set out in Appendix #1 to Town Planning Report No.
30/89.
2.
ALTONA FOREST AREA
LAND USE STUDY
FILE NUMBER - BlOOD
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That Town Council authorize Planning staff to prepare
appropriate amendments to the Development Plan for the
Highbush Community, generally as described in Appendix No.
III to Town Planning Report No. 30/89.
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