The Chair requested staff to advise on the manner of giving notice for the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments in addition to a Plan of Subdivision. He also asked staff to briefly describe the proposal and summarize the correspondence, if any, received to date.
Mr. Derworiz confirmed that the required notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act and circulated to each owner of land within 500 metres, and that a sign was posted on the subject property. He summarized the application, explaining that it proposes to redevelop the existing golf course into 44 residential lots and green space. The residential lots would front three new streets that extend from Southcrest Drive. There are currently 111 residential lots along Southcrest Drive. To accommodate the subdivision and residential development, the applicant is proposing to amend the Official Plan and rezone the subject lands. Until review of the application and submitted materials is complete, consistency with the Provincial Policy Statement, conformity to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Kawartha Lakes Official Plan. Mr. Derworiz summarized the comments received to date, as detailed in his report, noting that subsequent to the writing of the report additional comments in opposition to the application were received from:
- Kent Randall, of EcoVue Consulting on behalf of the King's Bay Residents Association;
- Robert and Gail Alebon;
- Donald and Jean Biffin;
- Rosa Bryan;
- Joe and Rose Doyle;
- David and Karen Hall;
- David and Rosemary Marks;
- Nancy Marto and James Duncan;
- Don and Marie Thatcher;
- Peter West;
- Mike and Rene Wilson;
- Kerry Bloxam;
- Kevin and Charlene Casuenette;
- Chris and Nancy Dares;
- Denise and Fred Elzinga;
- Gail Goodbody;
- Dr. Gail Johnson Morris;
- Trevor Johnston;
- Kenneth Ma;
- Samantha King and Justin Mahal;
- Susan Merriman on behalf of the King's Bay Resident's Association;
- Ian Nicolson;
- Brad Sinclair;
- Richard Vendrig;
- Lorraine Pike; and
- Steve and Judy Knipe
He summarized the additional comments stating the themes of opposition to the applications were relating to the following issues:
- Transportation and safety;
- Archeological concerns including Indigenous artifacts;
- Infrastructure and servicing (including water supply, and wastewater);
- Environmental and natural heritage features; and
- Impacts to existing property values.
He noted that the issues addressed by the public are being considered, and the applicant's studies that have been submitted to address the issues are currently being peer reviewed. Staff are recommending that the application be referred back to staff for review until all technical reviews are complete and comments from both agencies and the public are addressed. Mr. Derworiz and Mr. Holy responded to questions from Committee members.
The Chair inquired if the applicant wished to speak to the application.
Cheryl Shindruk, Executive Vice President of Geranium, and Matthew Cory of Malone Given Parsons Ltd. spoke on behalf of the owners and applicants. They provided a summary of a presentation (attached to the minutes) that addressed the following topics:
- Summary of who Geranium and GolfNorth is, including previous projects;
- Introductions to the Consulting Team;
- Site and Policy context;
- Summary of the technical submissions;
- Overview of the Draft Plan of Subdivision;
- Proposed Zoning By-law Amendments;
- Environmental Impact Study;
- Grading and Servicing Strategy;
- Water Supply and Stormwater Management;
- Phosphorus Management;
- Transportation Study; and
- Community Consultation.
Ms. Shindruk, Mr. Cory, and Jenn Morgan of WSP Golder responded to questions from members of the committee.
The Chair inquired if anyone wished to speak to the application.
Susan Merriman spoke on behalf of the King's Bay Residents Association, and spoke in opposition to the application noting concerns with the following issues:
- water supply;
- wastewater treatment;
- impacts to flora and fauna;
- effect of property values;
- increases in traffic, and issues relating to bus, fire, and snow plow turnarounds in the cul-de-sacs;
- indigenous resources;
- lack of clear plan for the remaining lands; and
- proximity and MDS setbacks with existing agricultural operations;
Kent Randall of EcoVue Consulting spoke on behalf of the King's Bay Residents Association, and summarized his correspondence that was circulated to the members of the committee noting the following issues:
- Official Plan implications of whether King's Bay should be considered a settlement area;
- MDS setbacks from the agricultural operations;
- Assessment of cultural heritage sites;
- Dedication of remaining parkland to the City, and would the City be willing to maintain the lands.
Jim Wakeford, a resident of King's Bay, spoke in opposition to the applications noting the following issues:
- Protection and review of archeological and indigenous sites previously identified in the area;
- Increase of phosphorus levels in the Nonquon River;
- Impact to species of concern such as snapping turtles, walleye, monarch butterflies, barn swallows, eastern wood pewee and butternut trees;
Richard Vendrig, a resident of the Robinglade neighbourhood, spoke in opposition to the applications noting the following issues:
- Impacts to existing water and wastewater supply capacity, including proximity of water supply to agricultural operations;
- Fill requirements for the construction of homes in low areas;
- Potential of building in floodplains;
- Removal of existing trees;
- Phosphorus increase to Nonquon River;
- Concerns with use of remaining unused lands;
- Whether the addition of 44 homes in environmentally sensitive areas will make and impact on housing crisis;
Trevor Johnston of 126 Southcrest Dr. spoke in opposition to the applications noting the following issues:
- Potential reduction in property values of the exiting homes in the area;
- Removal of the two key features to the existing neighbourhood being the golf course, and the water views; and
- Increased loads on water system, and risk of having to truck water into neighbourhood.
Judy Spring of 22 Crescent Moon Lane, agreed with the comments provided by Ms. Merriman and Mr. Randall, and stated the importance of the public being able to access the peer reviews, especially regarding the water supply.
Dr. Gail Johnson Morris noted that she had provided a previously written statement and had nothing further to add at this time.
Rosa Bryan spoke in opposition to the applications, noting that she was organizing an official online petition that at this time had 155 signatures. She noted other issues including:
- Removal of mature trees and view and access of the Nonquon River;
- Reduction of property values; and
- Effect to resident's mental health and well-being.
David Marks spoke in opposition to the applications noting the following issues:
- Effect on the existing vulnerable aquifer;
- Recent increased water levels on Lake Scugog, and risk of flood damage;
- Risks of increased phosphorus in the water; and
- Construction activity in the Kawartha Conservation regulated areas;
No other persons spoke to the application.
The Chair permitted the applicant to respond to the issues raised by the members of the public. Ms. Shindruk directed multiple questions to the applicant's consulting team, including:
- John Piersol of WSP Golder for hydrogeology concerns;
- Ian Parkinson of TYLin for sanitary treatment system optimization concerns;
- Michael Ventresca from SCS Consulting for civil engineering concerns;
- Deborah Sinclair from Hutchinson Environmental Sciences for phosphorus management concerns;
- Kristi Quinn from Beacon Environmental for natural heritage concerns;
- Jenn Morgan from WSP Golder for archaeology concerns;
- Mark Jamieson from BA Group for transportation concerns;
The consultants responded to the concerns addressed, and Ms. Shindruk also addressed concerns relating to property value. She made herself and the consulting team available for any further questions.
The Public Meeting concluded at 3:01p.m.