The Chair requested staff to advise on the manner of giving notice for the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment. He also asked staff to briefly describe the proposal and summarize the correspondence, if any, received to date.
Mr. Walker confirmed that the required notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act and circulated to each owner of land within 120 metres, and a sign was posted on the subject property. He summarized the applications, explaining that there are three (3) applications, namely an Official Plan Amendment, a Zoning By-law Amendment and a Revision to a Draft Plan of Subdivision, originally approved in 1994. The applications, if approved, would permit 146 lots for single detached dwellings on the west side of Angeline Street North, Lindsay and would resolve issues with conflicting plans. The application conforms to the Growth Plan and consistency with the Provincial Policy Statement will be established through the complete review of the applications. Mr. Walker summarized the comments received to date, as detailed in his report, noting that subsequent to the writing of the report additional inquiries were received from citizens at the Planning Division counter, via phone call and via e-mail regarding the application. One comment was also received by e-mail, objecting to the proposal to remove the block for the park addition. Mr. Walker advised that the Community Services Department indicated that should the City accept cash in lieu of parkland, the funds could be allocated to upgrades or enhancements to three other nearby parks; Elgin, Orchard and Sylvester Parks. Staff are recommending that the application be referred back to staff. Mr. Walker and Ms. Sisson responded to questions from Committee members.
The Chair inquired if the applicant wished to speak to the application.
Michael Bissett of Bousfields Inc., on behalf of applicant, advised that he was available to respond to questions from Committee. He responded to questions from Committee members.
The Chair inquired if anyone wished to speak to the application.
Joe McColl expressed concern regarding a lack of dedicated parkland for open space for the community and the distance residents would need to travel to get to other parks. He questioned the potential elimination of the north entrance, the narrowing of the Orchard Park Road access, the impact on traffic volumes and where sidewalks would be located.
Cindy Baldrel, resident of Hopkins Road, expressed concerns regarding traffic volume, the elimination of the north exit, lack of green space and safety for families trying to travel to access other local parks. She objected to the selling of green space with no guarantee of other parks being developed in new subdivisions.
Moti Tahiliani expressed concern regarding his property at 236 Angeline Street North in Lindsay, noting that he has been in negotiations with Dunster Investments Inc. to purchase a piece of road to accommodate a proposed trail beside the creek with the intent of developing the property. He noted that he had approached the City’s Engineering Department last year with a request to extend his development from 7 to 14 lots and was advised that there was insufficient sewer capacity to allow for this and questioned how there was capacity to allow for the new lots proposed by this application.
Dorothy Carroll, resident of Orchard Park Road, expressed concern regarding traffic, particularly during times when school busses are accessing schools, and the need to have two entrances to the subdivision to allow for emergency vehicle access.
Carol Barkwell, resident of Richard Avenue, expressed concerns regarding traffic flow, having only one entrance and the loss of park space.
Bill Langdon, resident of Hopkins Road expressed concerns regarding the impact of additional homes on traffic volumes in the area and the loss of the only green space, being Joan Park.
No other persons spoke to the application.