Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/14/2004Statutory Public Information Meeting Thursday, October 14, 2004 7:00 P.M. PRESENT: Councillor McLean - Chair STAFF: N. Carroll C. Rose T. Melymuk G. McGregor S. Gaunt D. Kearns GUEST: - Director, Planning & Development - Manager, Policy - Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy - Principal Planner-Policy - Planner II - Committee Coordinator A. Joyner - Dillon Consulting The Director, Planning & Development provided a brief explanation of the purpose of the meeting and introduced staff and Anne Joyner, Dillon Consulting. The Manager, Policy, provided an overview of the requirements of the Planning Act and the Ontario Municipal Board respecting this meeting and matters under consideration there at. 1. PICKERING OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT OPA 04-002/P CITY INITIATED: GROWTH MANAGEMENT STUDY IMPLEMENTATION Cathy Rose, Manager, Policy, provided an overview of property location, applicant's proposal and City's official plan policies pertaining to this site, as outlined in Information Report #15/04. Bonnie Littley, representing Rouge Duffins Greenspace, stated her concern with regards to the cost to the taxpayers of the Growth Management Study and her further concern with the proposed legal action against the Province. She questioned the legality of the amendment and suggested further consultation with the public advising that this amendment does not conform to the Regional Official Plan, Greenbelt Plan, Growth Plan and Minister's Zoning Order. Tom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy, advised that it is not illegal for Pickering to put forward an amendment. He further stated that all Growth Management Study costs are known and can be accounted for. Statutory Public Information Meeting Thursday, October 14, 2004 7:00 P.M. 10. 11. 12. Joe Brown, 1205 Halsey Lane, emphasized the need for consideration to be given to a hospital usage due to the new growth and anticipated growth in Pickering. He recommended the City take a pro-active approach and ensure that the Province has a hospital included in their plan. Cathy Rose, Manager, Policy, stated that health care is very necessary and a hospital can be placed anywhere but open space. She further advised that a college has already been considered for the north. Wolf Mueller, Altona Road, south of Whitevale, stated that this plan includes lands north of Taunton Road between Altona Road and the Townline but this area is a major swamp and Heron Rookery. He questioned the environmental knowledge of the Planners and the range of planning authority the Planning Department has over its countryside. Anne Joyner, Dillon Consulting, advised that biologists did field work and the Heron Rookery has been protected. Neil Carroll, Director, Planning & Development, advised that the City of Pickering has planning authority within the City boundaries, over to the Townline and up to Uxbridge. lan Attridge, Councel for Ontario Farmland Trust, provided the background and interest of Ontario Farmland Trust. He stated that protecting farmland can be a benefit to Pickering and adds value to the assessment base, increases taxes and adds to tourism. He further stated that the City is fortunate to hold easements and can be a leader in growth. He stated their support of protecting the agricultural lands and the agricultural easements. Tom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy, spoke of Mr. Attridge's background with the Green Door Alliance, participation with the Committee involved in acquiring the agricultural easements to protect the agricultural lands. He offered to have a meeting with the Ontario Farmland Trust. Carol Kenney, 1760 Forbrock Street, stated her discouragement with the process and questioned why there has been so much energy put into this Study, who will have the final say and how can this process go forward from here peacefully. Tom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy, advised that Pickering began this plan 2 % years ago under the Planning Act and the Province hired their consultants earlier this year. He further stated that the Minister of Municipal Affairs does not have to approve the plan. 2 Statutory Public Information Meeting Thursday, October 14, 2004 7:00 P.M. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. Jim Robb, I Braeburn Blvd., Scarborough, provided a history of the north Pickering lands. He stated that significant landowners who happen to be developers funded the Growth Management Study. He requested that the Duffin Rouge Ag Preserve be left alone and that the City work with the Province to keep with their promise to only develop one-third of the Seaton lands. Tom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy, emphasized that the developers had absolutely no influence in the Study, everything was open, and the reports and meeting notes are available for public review. Anne Joyner, Dillon Consulting, advised that her consulting firm have a very strong reputation as environment first team. They sat through many meetings, looked comprehensively at Pickering as a whole to decide where growth should occur and challenged anyone to find developer influence in the study. Mayor Ryan addressed comments of previous speakers and provided of history of the Seaton lands and the servicing and development of Seaton. Norman Collier, Townline, questioned the legality of one of the developers who funded the study, who started to clear-cut trees on lands north of Taunton Road. Tom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy, advised that the landowners involved in the land clearing have been charged for removal of trees under the tree cutting by-law. He further advised that this case is in court. Mike Wilfer, 2 Jomar Ave., stated that confusion stems from the multi-levels of government involved in the planning of Pickering. He questioned if all airport lands sit within the jurisdiction of Pickering and requested that Pickering not waste anymore money by fighting with the Province. Tom Melymuk, Division Head, Corporate Projects & Policy, advised that the airport lands extend into Uxbridge and Markham and that an airport would be one of the strongest economic builders. Martin Herzog, Director of the Liverpool West Community Association, advised that his experience with the Province is that they don't respond to questions and is not participating with the City. He further suggested that the consultant have a high degree of integrity. Councillor McLean stated his desire for a full Environmental Study on the lands. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m. 3