The Chair requested staff to advise on the manner of giving notice for the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment. He also asked staff to briefly describe the proposal and summarize the correspondence, if any, received to date.
Mr. LaHay 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 change the Community Facility Exception One (CF-1) Zone to an appropriate Rural Residential Type Three (RR3-*) Exception Zone to permit a residential use on the subject property. Staff are continuing to review consistency with the Provincial Policy Statement, conformity to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Kawartha Lakes Official Plan. Mr. LaHay summarized the comments received to date, as detailed in his report, noting that subsequent to the writing of the report additional comments were received from the following agencies/City departments:
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry provided direction to access the natural heritage feature resources of their online mapping system
- Kawartha Conservation provided preliminary comments stating that they believed the application conformed with the applicable natural heritage policies
- Kawartha Lakes Building Division Part 8 - Sewage systems stating that the proposed filter bed is undersized, and recommended that the plan be revised to provide sufficient on-site sewage treatment
He also noted in addition to the comments in his report, several comments were received from area residents including:
- B. Pownall of 93 Westview Drive
- D. Ditchburn of 182 Westview Drive
- B. & T. Fisher of 9 Millbrook Ridge Road
- J. Jamieson & J. Anderson of 100 Westview Drive
- C. Young of 73 Westview Drive
- B. Calwell of 110 Westview Drive
These comments noted several concerns including:
- loss of formerly common access green space
- restrictive covenants and deeded access to Block C by neighbouring property owners
- location of driveway with preference of lot access to be from Pioneer Road
- location of proposed utility services (i.e. overhead hydro lines)
- setback requirements and location of the proposed well and septic systems and impacts on adjacent properties
- removal of trees on the property
- the tax sale process that saw the property leave common ownership
Correspondence in support, and in response to the public comments was also received from:
- J. Rowles of 116 Westview Drive
- Applicant R. Taylor
- Owner S. Rowles and family
In consideration of the comments and analysis contained in Mr. LaHay's report and at the Public Meeting, staff respectfully recommend that the application be referred back to staff for further review and processing until such time that any comments and concerns have been addressed. He responded to questions from Committee members.
The Chair inquired if the applicant wished to speak to the application.
Richard Taylor spoke as the applicant, and stated that they are aware of the recommended referral back to staff, and do not object to it. He stated that they are looking to address the technical concerns with the septic system, and the other resident concerns. He questioned on whether there were any outstanding agency comments remaining. In conclusion, he made himself, their planner, and the applicant available for any questions. He responded to questions from the members of the committee.
The Chair inquired if anyone wished to speak to the application.
Joanne and Sabrina Rowles spoke as the owners of the property, and stated that they are confident in their ownership of the property, and that they pay property taxes on it.
Donald Ditchburn of 182 Westview Drive spoke as the past president of the Glen Home Owners Association Inc and provided an overview of the ownership history of the lot, including the tax sale process which saw the property move into private ownership. He stated he was pleased to see the environmental studies being done on the property due to the proximity of Potash creek. Overall, while he stated he does not have any strong objection with the Rowles family and is looking to restore relationship with them, he questioned if there is clear title to the property, as most properties in the neighbourhood have access to Block A-G, including Block C.
Jenn Rowles of 116 Westview Drive which is the abutting property and spoke in support of the application. She stated that she has no objection to her sister moving next door, as they have done a lot of work to prepare the property. She also noted that the restrictive covenant could not be enforced over 40 years, and that it has been 55 years.
No other persons spoke to the application.
The Public Meeting concluded at 1:44pm.