Resident suggests public was kept in the dark about a developers plans for a part of Plains Road near Waterdown in Aldershot.

News 100 blueBy Greg Woodruff

April 21, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

On March 24th city staff held a meeting to discuss possible zoning changes to a large section of Plains Road. The area discussed was on the South side of Plains Road positioned East of Waterdown Road. Later residents discovered a developer is already advertising to sell 75 condo units at 40-58 Plains Road East in violation of current zoning character provisions.

Though it was casually mentioned the city had been “approached” by a developer; no indication was given that a specific plan was in motion.

Aldershot mobility hub study area

The public meeting was an information gathering occasion for the city planner who said he was there to listen to the community and what they wanted. He did make mention of an project that was not formal yet – the residents think the project is well along the development path. The graphic above shows the portion of Plains Rod that was under review and its proximity to the Aldershot GO station and the suggestion that the pink area could be developed as a “mobility hub”

This leaves the distinct impression that this meeting was in bad faith. It seems like the purpose of the meeting was only to say the public was “consulted” on an issue staff already had a plan to change. I realize that staff may not have been in a position to mention this specific development. At minimum the staff could have indicated that if the zoning was changed they would expect to see condo buildings in the “range of 70 plus units”. Why they did not could be anything from simple lack of communication to an outright attempt to misslead the public.

I think traditionally the public has considered staff as neutral parties implementing zoning regulations and changes in a balanced way. To some it seems like staff have now been co-opted into provincial employees with “intensification” as the decisive factor in decision making. If staff failed to mention this development or the like because someone judged that residents would have a negative reaction; then they are no longer operating in a neutral way. This is unfair not only to residents and developers, but also to the staff themselves.

Some basic questions now need answering:

1) What exactly is the current function and purpose of staff in regard to planning and development?
2) Was the city made aware of this 75 unit proposal from the developer?
3) Was there any conversation among or direction to staff about hiding the nature of probable developments if the zoning was changed?
4) Did any staff indicate that they would work for the developer to get the zoning changed?

Recommendations:

1) All communication between staff and this developer on this matter needs to be made public.
2) Staff are “trading” zoning violations for attributes to buildings. “Horse trading” zoning violations needs to be made into a transparent public process.

In this area we have less trees, less businesses and more congestion.

I reject outright the suggestion that the liveability of our community needs to be sacrificed for the provincial “intensification” mandate. Intensification is designed to spur positive changes in our community; not serve as a rationalization for negative ones.

Greg Woodruff runs the Citizens for Responsible Development.  He was a candidate for the office of Chair of the Region of Halton.  There is more about that organization here.

The Gazette reported on that March meeting. 

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5 comments to Resident suggests public was kept in the dark about a developers plans for a part of Plains Road near Waterdown in Aldershot.

  • Chris

    How can I find the sales website ?

  • Chris

    Where can I find more information on this building. Has anyone seen the floor plans and are they nice and will there be a doorman?

  • Cathy

    Does this mean that there would be 75 cars turning left onto Plains (to GO station, 403) endangering drivers? Or is city planning to have these new condo owners circle round right, putting traffic on Fairwood if they are heading North or West? Sounds like one big traffic jam to me. Although then they’d might actually have to plow Fairwood in wintertime in that case.

  • Tom Muir

    I suggest that interested readers consult the Gazette April 7/15 story and comment string that started this conversation, and brought it to the present story.

    Some readers have likely read this April 7 story previously, but a refresher, to see more supporting information added that supports Greg Woodruff’s concern and comments, might be useful.

  • Steve Robinson

    Overcrowding is the social engineer’s goal.