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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-09-15 and 2009-09-16 Adopted Public Hearing Minutes.pdfDistrict of Maple Ridge PUBLIC HEARING September 15 and 16, 2009 The Minutes of the Public Hearing held in the Council Chamber of the Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, British Columbia on September 15, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Elected Officials Mayor E. Daykin Councillor C. Ashlie Councillor J. Dueck Councillor A. Hogarth Councillor L. King Councillor M. Morden Councillor C. Speirs Appointed Staff M. Murray, Acting Chief Administrative Officer F. Quinn, The General Manager, Public Works and Development Services C. Marlo, Manager of Legislative Services J. Pickering, Director of Planning C. Goddard, Manager of Development and Environmental Services A. Gaunt, Confidential Secretary Mayor Daykin called the meeting to order. The Manager of Legislative Services explained the procedure and rules of order of the Public Hearing. She advised that in accordance with the Local Government Act, once a Public Hearing item is closed, no further input into that item can be received by the Municipal Council until bylaws are either adopted or defeated. The bylaws will be considered further at the next Council Meeting on September 22, 2009. The Mayor then called upon the Manager of Development and Environmental Services to present the following items on the agenda: 1a) RZ/040/09 Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Amending Bylaw No. 6674-2009 Legal: Location: Purpose: From: To: Lots 1-4, all of Section 3, Township 12, Plan BCP41515; & Park, Section 3, Township 12, Plan BCP33649 248th Street/ 100th Avenue and Jackson Road To amend Schedule "B" of the Official Community Plan Urban Reserve Urban Residential, Conservation, and Park Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 2 of 14 And: To amend Schedule "C" of the Official Community to add to conservation 1b) RZ/040/09 Maple Ridge Zone Amending Bylaw No. 6675-2009 Legal: Location: From: To: Purpose: Lots 1-4, all of Section 3, Township 12, Plan BCP41515 248th Street/ 100th Avenue and Jackson Road A-1 (Small Holdings Agricultural) R-1 (Residential District), P-1 (Park and School), and RS-1b (One Family Urban (Medium Density) Residential) To allow for future subdivision of 112 lots. The Manager of Legislative Services advised that correspondence on this item was received from the following residents: Leif & Janet Christensen (x2), Tracy & Maria Raynolds (x2), Robert Campbell, Renee Spakowsky, Jim Harris, Janice Dowling, Marie Slessor, Blake Handford, Darrell & Jenny Thomas, T. Freitas, Roy Stini, Mira Lyn Peters, Sadie Ropponen, Annette LeBox, Yukiko Tanaka, Leesa Gauley, Jackie Chow, Gavin Roache, Marie Therese & Andrew Krzus, Duanne Vandenberg -Alouette Field Naturalists, Ian & Brenda Strachan, Tino Dhinsa, J. Sunada, Teodora Leaf, Carol & Allan Skene, David Bailward, Matthew Grisley, Karrie Grisley, Andrea Wingrove, Art Prufer, Lyall Holmes, John Visocchi & Nancy Newman (x2), Marc & Marlene Dalton, Ron Morton (x2),Judy Patrick, Doug & Melanie Spooner, Adriana & Carlos Cassullo, Lisa Young, Tracy Lyster -Citizens Against Urban Sprawl Society, Eric Arksey, Lisa & Steve Pickrell, Wan-Yi Lin, Traci Mcfarlane, Elbasan Kruezi, Leunida Pulaj, Dibran Kruezi, lmri Kruezi, Kent Evenson, Karen Winterfeld, Milan Louzecky, Daniel Baxter, David Bol, Jack Bol, Gordon Chadwick, Gordon Chadwick Jr., Matthew Eales, Renaud Fortin, Mike Gildersleeve, Victor Hasson, Leigh Hodgins, Kevin Hodgins, Greg Wallin, Rod & Debbie Byrnell, Jeff Storteboom, Duane Goode, Chris Whitlock, Cindy Boileau, Brandon Whitlock, Rosemary Prufer, Ian Turgeon, Sheila Smyth (x3), Norman & Ruth Sigurdson, Irene Storteboom, Chad Bissky, Jennifer Redmond, Fred Formosa, Jordan Whitlock, Craig Redmond, Steve Bentley (x2), Karen Read, Linda Holenski, Wes Tse, Name Unknown (20488 123 Ave), Name Unknown ( 23120 122 Ave), Kiersten Duncan, Mark Read, Lori & Brian Graham, Patty Morrison, Amanda Balcke, Janet Burns, Bernice Rolls, Beryl Eales, Multiple Names (Cheema/Dhesa/Mann/Grewalj Sandher/GilljSekhon/Sivia), Name Unknown, Name Unknown, Name Unknown, Carly O'Rourke, Carly O'Rourke on behalf of Diane Williams (Pitt Poulder Preservation Society), Janet Dmitrieff (x3), Neil Dmitrieff, Martin Dmitrieff, Yasina lsmaily, Shiraz Mawani, Sarah Tuck, Jean Sunada (x3), Paula Panek (x2), Christian Cowley, Gerald Andrews, Sohan Dhesa, Jim Jervis, Joie Pare, Betty von Hardenberg (x2), Klaus von Hardenberg (x2), Nicole Kolebaba, Ron Antalek, Kate & Paul Jennings, Jean Davidson, Lorne Nelson. Publ ic Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 3 of 14 She reported that two petitions, one with 820 signatures against the application and one with 641 signatures in favour of the application, have been received. The Manager of Development and Environmental Services gave a power point presentation providing the following information: • Application Information • Subject Map • Neighbourhood Context • OCP Context • Site Characteristics • Site Plan • Submitted Information David Laird -Applicant Representative Mr. Laird addressed concerns brought forward pertaining to the developer's information meeting held in July 2009 with respect to highlighted maps displayed at the meeting and the approximate location of the aquifer. Betty von Harden berg Ms. von Hardenberg is opposed to the application as it contravenes both Maple Ridge's Official Community Plan and Metro Vancouver's new Regional Growth Strategy by allowing premature development of a subdivision outside the urban reserve. She cited the increase in traffic, the lack of school facilities for extra students, higher taxes to accommodate urban sprawl and the location of a stormwater pond on the proposed park area for the District to maintain as other negative implications of the proposal. She suggested that other options be looked in order to bring the Lower Jackson Farm into public ownership. Ian Strachan Mr. Strachan is opposed to the application. He expressed concern over the proposed changes to the Official Community Plan in that they would be precedent setting for other property owners in the area. He also expressed concern that the proposed development will add more homes without resolution of safety issues involving increased traffic and the lack of infrastructure such as school and road improvements. Beryl Eales Ms. Eales spoke to the history of the Lower Jackson farm and expressed concern that should this application not move forward at this time, the opportunity to obtain the Lower Jackson Farm for park may not present itself in the future. Hendrik Meekel Mr. Meekel expressed that the proposed development will lead to urban sprawl and that application was being moved forward too quickly. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 4 of 14 Jan Christensen on behalf of Maria and Tracy Raynolds Ms. Christensen read a statement from Maria and Tracy Raynolds indicating that they are strongly opposed to the proposed development in that the application contravenes the Official Community Plan as well as goals set out in Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy. They expressed concern that opening this area will promote sprawl, will be unsustainable and that the need to expand infrastructure and services to the development will increase the tax burden of residents. Thomas Freitas Mr. Freitas spoke in opposition of the application. He stated that the property is outside the urban reserve and questioned where funding will come from for the increase in municipal support services. He expressed that the application violates the principles of the Official Community Plan, promotes urban sprawl in rural areas and does not have staff support, quoting a staff report dated April 1, 2009. He asked whether a groundwater assessment will be done for residents who depend on well water in the area. Jean Sunada Ms. Sunada is opposed to the application as the proposed bylaws represent major changes to the Official Community Plan which will remove property from a rural designation, encourage urban sprawl and result in higher taxes. Janet Burns Ms. Burns spoke in favour of the proposal as the application allows for the receipt of parkland for the community at no cost to the District. She asked for clarification of whether the urban reserve is within the urban boundary. The Manager of Development and Environmental Services confirmed that the urban reserve is within the urban boundary. Ms. Burns questioned why the District should buy property or give District owned property within the urban reserve in exchange for the Lower Jackson property at the expense of taxpayers when land through this application is being offered at no cost. Mike Sather Mr. Sather stated that although he is in favour of Lower Jackson becoming a park, he is opposed to the application. He spoke against taking the proposed land out of the urban reserve as this will contribute to urban sprawl and did not meet requirements of Metro Vancouver's urban planning. He suggested that the municipality move toward further densification of the downtown area and asked why District owned property in the Silver Valley area cannot be swapped for the Lower Jackson property. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 5 of 14 Carly O'Rourke on behalf of Diana Williams. President. Pitt Paider Preservation Society Ms. O'Rourke read a statement from Diana Williams, President of the Pitt Paider Preservation Society speaking in opposition to the application. The statement cited the violation of the Official Community Plan, the setting of precedence for further development in the area, urban sprawl, the risk to agriculture and the endangerment of the aquifer as negative aspects of the proposal. Shiraz Mawani Dr. Mawani spoke in opposition to the application. He quoted sections from the Official Community Plan and indicated that the proposal did not meet any of the conditions to allow for development within the urban reserve and violated many principles of the Official Community Plan. Shiraz Mawani on behalf of Yasina lsmaily Dr. Mawani read Ms. lsmaily's statement opposing the application as it contravenes the fundamental principles of the Official Community Plan and the Metro Vancouver regional growth strategy, promotes urban sprawl in rural lands, undermines the District's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality and will raise taxes for all Maple Ridge residents. She also expressed concern with the lack of a ground water study in the area and the lack of space for students in the neighbourhood schools. Christian Cowley Mr. Cowley is opposed to the application. His reasons for opposing the proposal included that the development does not meet the principles and policies of the Official Community Plan, is premature, is not within the urban boundary, will contribute to urban sprawl, will negatively impact the lifestyles of the current residents, may contaminate the soil and water of surrounding areas, will spur speculation in the area and will raise taxes for Maple Ridge residents. He expressed concern over the lack of transportation services in the area to accommodate the increase in residents, the negative effect of increased traffic on existing roads and infrastructure and the lack of space for the increased number of students at neighbouring schools. Ruth Sigurdson Ms. Sigurdon is opposed to the application as the property is outside the urban boundary and in the urban reserve. She is also opposed as targets set in the Official Community Plan which allow urban development in the Thornhill area have not been met and an area plan for the Thornhill area has not been done. Ms. Sigurdon stated that the area does not have the infrastructure to support such a development, that local roads cannot support additional traffic and that schools in the area cannot support more students. She encouraged the option of a land swap involving District owned land within the urban boundary. Kevin Hodgins Mr. Hodgins is opposed to the application. He expressed concern over the perception of conflict of interest as the applicant contributed to the campaign of some councillors. He also expressed that the development will increase urban sprawl and questioned whether the increased costs of required infrastructure can be supported by the District Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 6 of 14 Leigh Hodgins Ms. Hodgins is opposed to the proposal citing that the zoning amendments are not supported by District staff and are in direct contravention of key principles of the Official Community plan and Metro Vancouver's regional growth study. Ms. Hodgins expressed that targets for urban development in Thornhill as specified in the Official Community Plan have not been met, that there is no support from the Agricultural Land Commission for the proposal and that a transportation plan and an independent groundwater study for the area has not been done. She stated that the proposed development will further urban sprawl and burden taxpayers with increased infrastructure costs. She asked that Council reconsider and offer a trade for land within the community that does not promote urban sprawl. Carly O'Rourke Ms. O'Rourke spoke in opposition to the application. She spoke in favour of saving the Lower Jackson Farm but not at the price of a violation of the Official Community Plan. She expressed that the proposal will increase urban sprawl , will fuel land speculation in the area and will adversely affect the Thornhill aquifer. She supported a recommendation to swap municipal property within the urban reserve for the Lower Jackson Farm .. Peter Knowlden Mr. Knowlden is opposed to the proposal. He expressed concern that the proposed development will adversely affect the aquifer in the area. Karen Read Ms. Read is against the application. She expressed that the application violates the Official Community Plan and will have adverse affects on adjacent residents. She expressed concern with the impact of increased traffic, the lack of infrastructure to support the proposed development and the lack of space in neighbourhood schools. She also expressed concern that allowing one developer to advance prior to Official Community Plan triggers being met will be precedent setting. She suggested trading District owned land for the Lower Jackson property. Mark Read Mr. Read voiced opposition to the application as the area is in the urban reserve. He expressed concern that the proposed development will have negative implications on the local area such as the worsening of traffic and the influx of more students to overflowing schools. Klaus von Hardenberg Mr. von Hardenberg is opposed to the application. He provided a summary of comments from residents which were gathered at an information kiosk he set up. Many comments expressed concern over urban sprawl, lack of infrastructure for increased development, farmland erosion and the devaluation of neighbouring properties as a result of the proposed application. He presented a petition with signatures opposing the application. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 7 of 14 Andy Miller Mr. Miller identified himself as a staff scientist for the Western Canada Wilderness Committee. He spoke to the adverse effects of increased urban sprawl and indicated he is opposed to the application Sarah Tuck Ms. Tuck spoke in favour of the application as the Lower Jackson Farm will be saved for park by the proposed land swap. She expressed that the swap for the park and the development of the upper portion of property will be a win win for the community and the developer but indicated that the balance of the urban reserve should remain protected. Kiersten Duncan Ms. Duncan is opposed to the application citing that it violates the Official Community Plan and the Metro Vancouver regional growth strategy. She expressed concern that neighbourhood schools are already full and that subdivision roads will be used as shortcuts, creating traffic safety issues. She stated that breaking the Official Community Plan to allow development outside the urban reserve will have no long term benefits for the community. She suggested that the municipality trade District owned land within the urban boundary. Bernie Rolls Ms. Rolls spoke against the application. She questioned why the application got to first reading and outlined concerns with the developer's information meeting. She expressed concern that an independent hydrological study has not been carried out and that the District's Environmental Sensitive Areas mapping study has not been adopted. She also expressed concern about storm water runoff from the upper development into the lower property. Ruth Pare Ms. Pare spoke in favour of the application as it is an opportunity for Maple Ridge to have a "one of a kind" park at no cost to the taxpayer. She provided a petition with signatures in favour of accepting the proposal and expressing that it is more important to save Lower Jackson Farm for park despite the need to adjust the urban boundary. She questioned whether a land swap in Silver Valley is more appropriate in that the area is also not prepared for an increase in development. Joie Pare Ms. Pare is in favour of the proposal stating that Lower Jackson Farm should be saved despite the requirement to readjust the urban boundary. She stressed that the most urgent issue is to preserve the Lower Jackson ecological area. Matt Grisley Mr. Grisley is in support of the application._ He feels it is important to look at the best economical method when trying to save Jackson Farm. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 8 of 14 Jeff Storteboom Mr. Storteboom spoke in support of the application as a park would be a welcome additional to the area. Neil Dmitrieff on behalf of Martin Dmitrieff Mr. Martin Dmitrieff's statement as read by Neil Dmitrieff indicated that he is against the application as it does not comply with Official Community Plan guidelines and will set a dangerous precedent for more development of this type. He expressed concern with the negative impact of the proposed density on existing wildlife corridors. He also stated that he is not against a land swap for land within the urban boundary which is already designated for the kind of density proposed. Tom Kerr Mr. Kerr spoke in favour of the application as it will be a good deal for the community. He expressed that the traffic issues in the area will not be insurmountable, that the Lower Jackson is an ideal area for park and the upper area is well suited for development. He stated that as a resident of the area, he did not feel the aquifer will be adversely affected by the proposed development. Neil Dmitrieff Mr. Dmitrieff is opposed to the proposed development. He stated that the current Official Community Plan triggers should be respected and that the urban boundary should not be adjusted to accommodate developers who have bought land outside the boundary. Bim Meetarghisan Mr. Meetarghisan is in favour of the application as he feels the land swap offered by the developer is beneficial to the entire community. He expressed that the urban reserve is land in waiting and that Council was elected to represent all members of the municipality rather than a select few. Nancy Newman Ms. Newman stated she is not opposed to development, however, she is opposed to the application. She expressed concern that persons using the Official Community Plan to buy their homes in Maple Ridge will be at a disadvantage should the plan be allowed to change at any time. She also expressed concern with the capacity of schools in the area and questioned whether the District will have funds to create a park. She questioned why larger lots with homes which will complement the surrounding area cannot be developed on the Upper Jackson. She also stated that she is supportive of a swap for land in Silver Valley. Janet Dmitrieff Ms. Dmitrieff is opposed to the proposed development as it is no more than organized urban sprawl which will require more money and taxes to support. She spoke to over flowing schools in the area compared to under utilized schools in the town core and asked why Council cannot adhere to the recently adopted Official Community Plan. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 9 of 14 Sheila Smyth Ms. Smyth expressed that the Jackson Farm should be preserved as park and that the Thornhill urban reserve should be preserved as per the Official Community Plan. She urged Council to reconsider the proposal. Rick Scott Mr. Scott is opposed to the application. He stated that the District will not be able to afford continued development of single family housing and that building for the future by densifying areas should be the norm. Gerald Andrews Mr. Andrews is not in favour of the application. He cited the reduction of pastoral screening, the lack of protection of the aquifer and the contravention of the Official Community Plan as reasons. He also asked whether assurance will be given to residents that the Lower Jackson Farm will remain designated as park. Steve Bentley Mr. Bentley is in favour of preservation of the Lower Jackson Farm as park, however he is opposed to the application. He stated that the proposed rezoning violates the principles of the Official Community Plan. He also expressed concern with the increase in local students when schools are already at capacity and the detrimental effect of increased traffic on rural roads. He questioned why the application could not be looked at after the completion of the Master Parks Plan to provide assurance that the Lower Jackson Farm will be recommended for park use. Dave Smith Mr. Smith spoke to well water issues and other problems in the area during the development of Thornhill Heights. He stated that the developer is well aware of the importance of the recreational trail system in the area . He expressed concern that continued development in the area will negatively impact wildlife and water courses in that area. Stuart Pledge -on behalf of "Friends of Jackson Farm" Mr. Pledge spoke to errors in the applicant's minutes from the development information meeting. He read an e-mail sent by Friends of Jackson Farm to the developer's representative as well as Mayor and Council which indicated that the organization takes no position regarding the proposal. Stuart Pledge Mr. Pledge spoke against the application. He expressed concern that the proposal is premature and is a softening up of the Official Community Plan and goes against Metro Vancouver's regiona l growth strategy. He felt that an urban boundary review should be done prior to entertainment of such proposals. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 10 of 14 Mike Gildersleeve Mr. Gildersleeve is opposed to the proposed development as it is a violation of the Official Community Plan. He expressed that the Official Community Plan needs to be adhered to in terms of triggers allowing for development outside urban areas in order to protect residents already living in the area as well as the aquifer. He questioned the impacts of the footprint of the proposed subdivision and stated that huge costs to the District are associated with the proposed development along with negative environmental impacts. Roy Stini Mr. Stini is opposed to the application as he feels it will result in higher taxes and a lower standard of living for all. He questioned adding more people to an area prior to building a park rather than building a park and then adding more residents. He stated that he was not in favour of pushing a land swap into someone else's neighbourhood. Paula Panek Ms. Panek spoke in opposition to the application. She described her view of the business case that should be associated with such a proposal and felt that in the absence of full information, the application should not be allowed to proceed. Robert Homsey Mr. Homsey spoke against the proposal. He expressed concern with the haste of the decision making and concern that reports from staff, regional planners and other reports are being given minimal consideration. Dave Mussallem Mr. Mussallem is supportive of the proposal and the land swap. He expressed concern about information being circulated pertaining to the urban reserve and stated that the urban reserve area is within Maple Ridge's urban boundary. He put forward that in the past a study on the Thornhill aquifer stated that development in the Thornhill area will not affect the aquifer. Mr. Mussallem felt that the best thing for preservation of the aquifer is to allow development to connect to municipal water. Betty Von Harden berg Ms. von Hardenberg reiterated that she is opposed to the proposed application. She stated that the upper Jackson Farm is outside the urban boundary and is therefore precluded from connecting infrastructure. She expressed concerns with the open house held by the developer and thanked District staff for clarification with mapping. Ms. von Hardenberg refuted the claim that the aquifer will not be impacted by the proposed development and expressed concern with groundwater being dumped onto the Lower Jackson property. She questioned the comparison of the impact of 4 lots to 112 lots and expressed concern that the developer and Council have not met obligations to the public. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 11 of 14 Beryl Eales Ms. Eales provided further information on the background of the Jackson Farm property. She expressed that she felt that the Maple Ridge Parks and Recreation Department is capable of running the area should it become park. She referred to the Thornhill landscape below being prominent with development and felt that continued development on 248th Street is acceptable. Hendrik Meekel Mr. Meekel commented on issues with development on Rally Crescent and the effect on the aquifer. He expressed concern that further development in the area will continue to negatively affect the aquifer and felt that the creation of the Thornhill Urban Reserve should not have occurred. Jan Christensen -on behalf of Maria and Tracy Reynolds Ms. Christensen continued reading the letter from Maria and Tracy Reynolds. They spoke in opposition to the application as it contravenes the Official Community Plan and the 5 main goals of Metro Vancouver's regional growth strategy and results in an increase in urban sprawl. Klaus von Hardenberg Mr. von Hardenberg is against the application. He does not feel the land swap is a gift or donation based on definition of the words and expressed that the application is an obvious contravention of the Official Community Plan as triggers placed to regulate when development can take place in the urban reserve are being put aside. He felt that should the application be approved, this will contribute to land speculation. He questioned the urgency of the proposal prior to the implementation of the Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy. David Laird -Applicant Representative Mr. Laird provided clarification of the minutes taken at the developer's information meeting and addressed concerns expressed by the Friends of Jackson Farm representative. He spoke to concerns over the location of the aquifer and the effect of the proposed development on groundwater and the aquifer. He also provided clarification regarding the proposed location of the detention pond and the bio filtration system. Mr. Laird indicated that he had offered to meet with Betty and Klaus von Hardenberg to discuss concerns over the aquifer however the meeting did not take place. Christian Cowley Mr. Cowley spoke against the application as the deal proposed contradicts the Official Community Plan and the proposed development contributes to urban sprawl. He expressed that Council has an obligation to uphold and respect the Official Community Plan in principle and in practice. He questioned why such a proposal can come forward if there are no fiscal or agricultural studies in place and how it is consistent with the Smart Growth program. He expressed concern with impact of increased traffic on rural roads and encouraged negotiation with the developer for a land swap of land inside the urban boundary. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 12 of 14 Liza Taylor Ms. Taylor advised that a large retaining wall was built for her property on District insistence due to the instability of the hill and she expressed concern with the effect of the proposed subdivision on the stability of the hill and questioned why this has not been addressed. Stuart Pledge Mr. Pledge asked whether the District's tree protection bylaw should apply to properties in the Thornhill urban reserve if the urban reserve is inside the urban area boundary and spoke about clear cutting previously done on properties neighbouring his. He asked if the proposed development will require the issuance of tree cutting permits. He expressed concern about the appraised value of the Lower Jackson property should it be developed as a subdivision and also that the Master Parks Plan has not been released and it was not known whether this plan will indicate whether or not the Lower Jackson Farm will be required for park. He felt it was time to honour the commitment made to purchase the farm as park. Neil Dmitrieff Mr. Dmitrieff spoke to the location of the Thornhill aquifer. He expressed concern that one of the two emergency accesses to the proposed development will not remain as such. He stated that the Official Community Plan guidelines should be adhered to. He also expressed concern that the developer's mapping referring to the Upper Jackson property is misleading. Shiraz Mawani Dr. Mawani expressed concerns over the business trade for the land swap. He spoke to the differences between a land swap for the proposed development and one for land in the Silver Valley area. He stated that the land swap included in the application was a contravention of the Official Community Plan and encouraged Council to look at an exchange for Silver Valley lands. Janet Dmitrieff Ms. Dmitrieff spoke against the application in that the application will not benefit the community. She expressed concern that precedents will be set and other proposals will follow. She also expressed concern that there are no formal plans in place for development of the proposed park area. Thomas Kerr Mr. Kerr spoke in favour of the application as it presented an opportunity to preserve the Lower Jackson Farm as a unique park for the area. He expressed that houses. being built for such developments will generate jobs and will allow for future generations to also have single family homes. Mr. Mussaleum Mr. Mussaleum spoke to the concerns around the Thornhill aquifer. He put forward that single family homes are being developed due to a continued demand for them. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 13 of 14 Dave Smith Mr. Smith expressed concern with the impact of development on natural water courses in the area and the negative impacts of more population in the area including increased traffic, potential increase in vandalism and the increase in garbage and litter in the natural landscape. He also expressed concern for the recreational trail system on 248th Street and for what the District has planned for the Lower Jackson. He indicated that he would rather see four homes for the development and that perhaps a subdivision of 50 homes rather than 112 should be considered. Bernice Rolls Ms. Rolls explained the effect of the Rolly Crescent development on her well. She encouraged the preservation of the Jackson Farm but did not support the application as presented. She expressed that the application will contribute to urban sprawl and will cost taxpayers more money. Betty von Hardenberg Ms. von Hardenberg confirmed that the developer's representative did contact her to set up a meeting, however, she and Mr. von Hardenberg felt there was not need to meet prior to the open house. Stuart Pledge Mr. Pledge encouraged an alternative solution to try to bring the Lower Jackson Farm into public ownership. He suggested that the District sell land in Silver Valley and buy the Lower Jackson Farm for park. Bernice Rolls Ms. Rolls stated that much public time was spent on the Official Community Report and encouraged Council to save money by paying attention to consultants' reports and vision studies prior to making a decision. Dave Mussallem Mr. Mussallem spoke to a development on Rolly Crescent and a covenant on the retention of trees in the subdivision. Hendrik Meekel Mr. Meekel asked that all do a part for the community and expressed there was need for real changes and dialogue. Neil Dmietreff Mr. Dmietreff suggested there had been misinformation presented by speakers about the aquifer on Thornhill. There being no further comment, the Mayor declared this item dealt with. Public Hearing Minutes September 15 and 16, 2009 Page 14 of 14 Having given all those persons whose interests were deemed affected by the matters contained herein a chance to be heard, the Mayor terminated the Public Hearing at 12:02 a.m. on September 16, 2009. Certified Correct QA:,, MA Lr C. Marlo, Corporate Officer