04-26-2008, 06:01 PM
Please consider opposing PL 53-08 (Phase 1 application to change building height) based on the fact that there should be no Phase 1 at all.
In July 2007, the developer submitted the full ECOPlace plan (incl. the re-classification of the land from business park to mixed use residential/commercial). Only in November did they submit the second application (for Phase 1 only).
They have done this so that they can try to break ground on the development more quickly, as Phase 1 does not require the re-classification of land nor does it have to be reviewed in light of the provincial Places to Grow legislation and guidelines.
Both the Town Planning Dept and the Regional Planning Dept have voiced their opposition, in writing, to the developer's attempt to split ECOPlace into phases like this. Both the Town and Region planners say that the project must be reviewed as a whole and not one bit at a time. The developer wants the Town to consider Phase 1 in isolation because they think it is an easier fight to win. And once ground is broken, influencing the outcome of this whole process will be that much harder. This is the thin edge of the wedge.
[It is intereting to note that the Town and the Region also note in several places that the developer has failed to provide the supporting documentation requested of them for either the July or the November applications.]
As the Durham Region planners said "the Region does not support the piecemeal approach to the proponent's desire to obtain approval for Phase 1 - rather, the proposal needs to be examined comprehesively prior to a recommendation report on any aspect of the proposal being brought forward".
Oppose PL 53-08 so that we can look at the whole issue of ECOPlace at the same time. Allowing Phase 1 to proceed as a seperate project does not make sense. Except to the developer!
In July 2007, the developer submitted the full ECOPlace plan (incl. the re-classification of the land from business park to mixed use residential/commercial). Only in November did they submit the second application (for Phase 1 only).
They have done this so that they can try to break ground on the development more quickly, as Phase 1 does not require the re-classification of land nor does it have to be reviewed in light of the provincial Places to Grow legislation and guidelines.
Both the Town Planning Dept and the Regional Planning Dept have voiced their opposition, in writing, to the developer's attempt to split ECOPlace into phases like this. Both the Town and Region planners say that the project must be reviewed as a whole and not one bit at a time. The developer wants the Town to consider Phase 1 in isolation because they think it is an easier fight to win. And once ground is broken, influencing the outcome of this whole process will be that much harder. This is the thin edge of the wedge.
[It is intereting to note that the Town and the Region also note in several places that the developer has failed to provide the supporting documentation requested of them for either the July or the November applications.]
As the Durham Region planners said "the Region does not support the piecemeal approach to the proponent's desire to obtain approval for Phase 1 - rather, the proposal needs to be examined comprehesively prior to a recommendation report on any aspect of the proposal being brought forward".
Oppose PL 53-08 so that we can look at the whole issue of ECOPlace at the same time. Allowing Phase 1 to proceed as a seperate project does not make sense. Except to the developer!