Jaspreet Sidhu, Planner provided an overview of the subject lands, site history and proposed rezoning of site.
The following persons spoke:
- Terrance Glover, Principal/Owner, Urban in Mind spoke to the site's history with respect to the removed trees and provided an overview of the subject and surrounding properties, proposed policy development plan and zoning amendments.
- Vasco Neves, Resident, spoke to the impact that neighbouring properties experienced with the removal of significantly large trees, and enquired whether there will be consideration for the disturbance to neighbouring properties during the build should this application be approved; and noted that in his view there are no significant material changes to warrant these lands to be changed from protected area to dwelling which will bring significant change with respect to drainage and water accumulation.
- Veena Bonde, Resident spoke regarding The Ontario Municipal Board's (OMB) decision in 2001 to refuse the previous application for development of these lands; and noted that this application for development appears to be the same; and expressed concerns regarding the impact to surrounding neighbours and further noted that the OMB's decision to refuse this development should not be overturned.
Katie Pfaff, Legal Counsel, noted that the current application is a new application and is evaluated based on planning's current framework.
In response to Mayor Parrish's enquiry, Ashlee Rivet-Boyle, Manager, Development Central, explained the circumstances regarding the trees removed and the court’s decision to fine the landowner. Further Ms. Rivet-Boyle noted that Forestry staff advised that there is no standard protocol that identifies which trees are removed, and that staff were advised that the trees inadvertently removed were non-ash and non-elm trees.
Councillor Damerla, spoke in opposition of this application noting that removing trees to facilitate development is not acceptable.
Terrance Glover, Principal/Owner, Urban in Mind, clarified that this is a new application and not the same as previously submitted and litigated at the OMB in 2001, and advised that with respect to reinforcing and the protection of trees and slope, there will be additional plantings and buffer which will help stabilize the slope.