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DEPUTATION BY LUIGI FERRARA, DEAN OF GEORGE BROWN SCHOOL OF THE ARTS AND DESIGN AND THE INSTITUTE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES, SUSAN SPEIGEL OF SUSAN SPEIGEL ARCHITECT INC. AND MONICA CONTRERAS, OCAD UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR REGARDING MOTION 14-G-096, REZONING FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C4) TO RESIDENTIAL MULTIPLE SECOND DENSITY (RM2) AND DRAFT PLAN OF SUBDIVISION APPLICATION FOR 196 BURTON AVENUE (WARD 8).
Ms. Susan Speigel, Susan Speigel Architect Inc. provided a deputation in opposition to motion 14-G-096 regarding the Rezoning from General Commercial (C4) to Residential Multiple Second Density (RM2) and Draft Plan of Subdivision Application for 196 Burton Avenue (Ward 8). She advised that she was speaking on behalf of Luigi Ferrara, Dean of George Brown School of Arts and Design and the Institute without Boundaries and Ms. Monica Contreras, OCAD University Professor. Ms. Spiegel noted that the residents had retained the Institute without Boundaries to work on their behalf. She commented that the Institute without Boundaries in conjunction with the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation had worked with the residents and the City of Barrie to design a charette to discuss options for the residents.
Ms. Spiegel discussed the charette held on February 8, 2014, noting that four issues of significant social impact were identified - the impact related to the displacement of residents, adequate compensation, a relocation and assistance program for the residents and the loss of affordable housing that is not being replaced. She recommended that Council not take any action on this item until further study could be completed and suggested a holding by-law be passed related to development on this property. Ms. Spiegel suggested that an adequate compensation plan and/or a tenant relocation plan could be requirements of the holding by-law.
In closing, she cited examples from the Region of Peel and British Columbia, where property owners and municipalities took action to ensure that existing trailer park residents were involved in the relocation process and measures were taken to lessen the financial and social burden on the residents.