{"id":180678,"date":"2024-10-17T14:11:21","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T18:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/rwddev\/?p=180678"},"modified":"2024-10-17T22:57:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T02:57:28","slug":"planning-council-sends-application-to-develop-206-town-line-road-west-back-to-the-drawing-board","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/doppleronline.ca\/huntsville\/planning-council-sends-application-to-develop-206-town-line-road-west-back-to-the-drawing-board\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning Council sends application to develop 206 Town Line Road West back to the drawing board"},"content":{"rendered":"
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On Wednesday afternoon, people in the Huntsville Council chamber spilled out onto Partners Hall. Many community members attended the Planning Council meeting to provide input on multi-residential applications in a municipality that some believe is being developed too fast, particularly as all levels of government push for more housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swayed by concerns expressed by half a dozen residents, two letters, and a host of concerned attendees, the Planning Council asked that the proponents of a 96-lot residential subdivision at 206 Town Line Road West return with a plan that would not infringe on wetlands and reconsider the density of the proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What councillors said<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Obviously, this is a very contentious subject area,” said Councillor Monty Clouthier. He said he did not see a lot of changes since the <\/span>application was before a public meeting at Planning Council in January.<\/span><\/a> “For the sightlines to be prominent and safe and everything, that the Town is supposed to lower the road and fix the improvement of the sightline on the Town Line [Road], I don’t feel that any taxpayer dollars should go toward fixing anything of that sort to make it feasible for someone else if it’s not benefitting the whole town.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clouthier said sidewalks are definitely needed on Town Line Road “to hook this in at least from Knotty Pine Trail up to the subdivision.” He added that the Town would probably have to put drainage in the area in order for sidewalks to go down, which he referred to as an expensive venture. Clouthier also said it is his opinion that traffic lights are needed at the intersection of Town Line and Brunel despite reports to the contrary. “I think we need that now, let alone when you start adding another 96 residents up in here that are going in and out of there,” he said, adding that in the winter, people will be going through Knotty Pine Trail. “So we’re adding more traffic right into deep residential areas, which I don’t agree with… right now I can’t support this because I don’t see a whole lot of changes,” he said, adding that he wants to see specific details about how traffic and runoff water will be handled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Councillor Cory Clarke called it a far-reaching and complicated development and said while he appreciates the applicant attempting to make accommodations, he shares concerns expressed by area residents, concerns about the forest buffer, new and old developments, and wetlands and drainage. “But mostly, I continue to have concerns about the size and number of units for this development.” He said the last time the applicant was before the Council, it was suggested then that the density of the proposed development ought to be examined and scaled back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I don’t see any scaling back on the application that’s here today as far as density is concerned,” added Clarke. “This development needs to be compatible and protective of the existing areas around it, and I don’t believe it is,” he said, adding that he would not be supporting the application the way it is being proposed, at least not until he sees the density and number of units significantly reduced despite allowances in the Official Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The fact is that the property is just not compatible with the density that’s being asked for. I had concerns when I first reviewed this application, and I still have those concerns today, and I would have no issue deferring this,” said Clarke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Councillor Scott Morrison said he did not have an issue with the lands being developed. “We need housing. The location is good, and it makes a lot of sense in some ways.” However, Morrison said he shares similar concerns with his colleagues. He said flooding is prominent in that area, and natural drainage is much more effective, which is what happens with wetlands, and said he is not comfortable with any development partially infringing on those. He also said added traffic is a concern. Morrison reiterated that he does want to see some form of development there but cannot support what is currently being proposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mayor Nancy Alcock also expressed concern about any development infringing on wetlands. “I feel like we’re rehashing the same issues that were raised in January,” she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In terms of comments from the community, she said a couple that really resonated with her were concerns related to the loss of wetland.”From my perspective, I have always been under the impression under our new Official Plan that regardless of the size and scale of the wetland, we don’t encroach on wetlands, and so I feel any encroachment there is a problem.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alcock suggested deferring the application “until we get it right” and downsizing the development to avoid any infringement on wetlands throughout the entire property. ” She added that the development is akin to trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. She also noted that stormwater management is critical for that property and surrounding properties and said a detailed study should be conducted before approval is granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Councillor Helena Renwick thanked everyone for their efforts. She said she also does not want to see infringement on wetlands. She said the lands are surrounded by residential development, so it makes sense to see development on the lands. Renwick suggested that stacked or more elevated development ought to be considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning Council Chair Bob Stone agreed with the possibility of adding height to the development to decrease the footprint. He said he liked that townhouses and semi-detached houses were being considered, a development that would be more reasonably priced for new buyers entering the housing market. “So if we condense it more and get more concentrated density, leaving more trees [and] farther away from the wetland might be a real win.” He said that, sadly, the Planning Council is more reactive to what goes before it. “We can’t design it [development]; we can only say, ‘Here’s what we’re thinking.'”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the end, the proponents were asked to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n