Friday, May 8th, 2009
Final Two Days of OMB Hearing
Below are updates for the final two days of the OMB hearing, in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. Please keep in mind that while we endeavour to be 100% accurate, we may not be. If you have any questions or require clarification, please contact us.
First Four Days of OMB Hearing
Below are updates for the first four days of the OMB hearing, in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. The hearing will continue at 10am on Tuesday, April 28th. Please keep in mind that while we endeavour to be 100% accurate, we may not be. If you have any questions or require clarification, please contact us.
First Day of OMB Hearing
Highlights from the first day of the OMB hearing included:
- Intracorp made changes to the Plan of Subdivision as a result of the last mediation:
- Southwest valley buffer changed from 2.5m to 10m. The buffers were expanded not from top of bank but rather on valley golf course property, below top of bank. Buffers dedicated to City.
- Stream channel corridor west of Countryside estate residences to 30m width, 51.25m width when stream flows south to a maximum width of 60.60m when abutting estate homes on North Tortoise Court.
- One home dropped from plan to accommodate channel width near # 4 & 6 Tortoise Court. Channel dedicated to City.
- Block 7 Valleylands dedicated to City.
- Engineering changes, but no details specifically mentioned.
- As a result of the above, the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority withdrew from the hearing as a Party.
- Hearing commenced with Intracorp calling first witness, Mr. Diarmond Horgan
from Candevcon. Major points as follows:
- Reference made to Lockspur Development in Ward 10 that went before OMB previously. The City argued larger lots requirement but lost this decision at the OMB. Lawyer for Intracorp submitted this is the same issue before the Board again and the special policy of one acre and half acre lost should not apply in today’s planning regime.
- Mr. Horgan drew inference that through meetings with the City officials and with the public meetings prior to October 2006, nobody opposed the lot sizes they had proposed abutting the estate homes. He further elaborated that he was involved with many of the Vales of Castlemore developments including along the Goreway and once again he thought the estate home owners were satisfied with their various plans. (Seems to be selective hearing on Intracorp’s part?)
- City Council to address changes to the Plan of Subdivision at Council’s next meeting scheduled this Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at 1:00pm. City lawyers looking for direction from Council because of changes.
- OMB adjourned until 10:00am on Wednesday.
More details and interpretation will be posted as they become available.
Please consider attending the Council meeting at 1pm on Wednesday, or the OMB hearing at 10:00am on Wednesday. Your support makes a difference!
OMB Documents Available
You can now download the witness statements and related documents for the OMB hearing on our OMB Documents Page.
February 9th, 2009 - Important Castlemore OMB Announcement
See Dates to the Right:
Dear Friends,
As you are aware, the Castlemore Golf Lands Issue is going to an OMB hearing beginning in April. We want to stop 200 homes from being build on this valuable GreenSpace. Bruce Haines and a few very dedicated volunteers are preparing to argue for the preservation of these lands. However, at this time it is important that we raise funds to cover the costs of such things as a lawyer, land appraisers and environmental planners. Your donations, however big or small are vital. In association with the Sierra Club, you can now make a tax deductible donation by following these instructions.
1. Go to https://getinvolved.sierraclub.ca/donate.php
2. Complete donation form. When you get to Chapter Designation, select 'Ontario Chapter'. Under Campaign Designation type 'Peel Group/Castlemore', so that your donation is used for this specific cause.
3. Next select 'Sierra Club of Canada Foundation'.
4. Send us a separate email to exec@greenvisions.ca advising us of your donation.
You will get a tax receipt to claim on your Annual Tax Filing, thereby getting some of your donation monies back.
We truly appreciate your interest and donation you can make.
Regards,
The Executive Committee, Greenvisions
Wednesday, December 3rd
Snapping turtle designated a Species at Risk
From an e-mail sent by Ian McIntosh, Adopt-A-Pond Coordinator at the Toronto Zoo:
“Good Morning Turtle Talliers!
“I needed to send a quick email to announce the good/bad news. Chelydra serpentina, the snapping turtle, has been designated by COSEWIC (Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) as a species at risk - Special Concern. This now means that 7 of Ontario's 8 turtle species are at risk of extinction. However, this designation provides the snapping turtle protection under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Which is, as we all know, a very needed step for the snapping turtle. For more information check out the SARA website at www.sararegistry.gc.ca and search the registry for "snapping turtle".
“This gives us all some political support and framework for protecting these wonderful creatures!”
Posted by Bruce Haines on December 3, 2008.
December 2nd - Council says 'no' to houses on golf course, decision headed to OMB
From an article in the Brampton Guardian by Pam Douglas:
City councillors unanimously rejected a developer's proposal to build homes on a portion of Castlemore golf course, but the decision is already on its way to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). …
Planning Commissioner John Corbett told councillors at the meeting that he has never seen a proposal as thoroughly reviewed, particularly from an environmental standpoint, and that staff's recommendation to refuse it is "very clear". …
The city will now have to defend that position at the OMB. The developer, Candevcon Limited/1281216 Ontario Inc., filed an appeal with the OMB in August, complaining the city did not process the application in the required 180 days. The plan was first filed with the city in 2005.
An OMB pre-hearing conference is already scheduled for Jan. 16. …
Among the staff objections: the plan lacks protection for the integrity of the existing estate residential lots; lack of a 10 m buffer along the valley (although the conservation authority has only asked for 2 m); there are threatened species on the land- including the redside dace, which is a fish; a lack of trail connections; and stormwater management ponds can't offset the loss of natural features and functions. …
The full article can be read at http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/article/61493 on the Brampton Guardian website.
Posted by Bruce Haines on December 2, 2008.
November 22nd - Planning Committee Meeting December 1st
We have been informed that the Brampton Planning Department is ready to present their findings to City Council regarding the proposed application to build homes on the Castlemore Golf Lands.
On December 1st, we hope the City Planning Department will recommend not building and that City Council will vote in support of the residents who have fought for years to stop this development from moving forward. We need everyone to get out on December 1st so we can fill City Hall again!
A win for residents would be a first step toward more sustainable growth and building a good, complete community. Please email everyone you know, call them and get them to this very important meeting.
Official notice of meeting (PDF).
Note: We have since received word from the city that this issue is confirmed for discussion on December 1st. Let's make sure we're all there to show our support!
Posted by Bruce Haines on November 22, 2008.
View previous news in our news archive.
Important OMB Dates:
- Location: TBA
- Hearing Dates established:
April 20-24, 2009
April 27-29, 2009
May 5-8, 2009.Also April 30 and May 1st is pending.
April 20th for opening statements is important for community to be seen.
Last day for closing statements will be very important. Tentatively May 8th.
- Have a Concern?
Are you worried about the environmental impact of development in your area? Let us know!
