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Home My WebLink About06/06/1989 PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1989 - 7:30 P.M. ~ 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: ~ 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. ~ 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. "'-' 2/89 6 .'-' 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. '-" '-" 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. '-' 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. ..- '-' ...... 1ilw' (III) 2/89 7 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 ........ _ /'.':~~~.c:;_.~~'-~C=~~; ~ -'<::=-~ ==- .._._._~-_.._.-_..~ , -- /~------ 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: ....... 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 "- 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. ....... ~