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APPLICATION FOR A PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT AND AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING BY-LAW - CITY OF BARRIE, 155 DUNLOP STREET EAST, (WARD 2) (FILE: D09-30/D14-1551)
Mr. Windle, Manager of Development Control for the City of Barrie Planning Department explained that the purpose of the public meeting is to review an application for an Official Plan Amendment and an Amendment to the Zoning By-law submitted by the City of Barrie (Planning Services Department), for lands located within the City Centre Planning Area. He noted that the property is known municipally as 155 Dunlop Street East and has a total area of 0.09ha (0.21ac). He explained that the lands are currently designated City Centre within the City's Official Plan and are zoned Central Area Commercial - 1 (CC-1) in accordance with Zoning By-law 2009-141.
Mr. Windle explained that the application for Official Plan Amendment and Amendment to the Zoning By-law propose to re-designate the subject lands from City Centre to Open Space and to amend the current zoning of the property from Central Area Commercial - 1 (CC-1) to Open Space (OS). He stated that the subject lands are owned by the City of Barrie and forms the western portion of Bayview Park.
Mr. Windle provided background information concerning the history of the application. This application was requested by City Council through Motion 13-G-031, which requests a public meeting be held to consider the proposed re-designation and re-zoning.
Mr. Windle provided his professional planning opinion that the proposed Official Plan designation and zoning are consistent with the balance of Bayview Park and appropriately recognize the current and future use of the subject lands as a park.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Magnus Clarke, RAMP Design Inc. representing Mr. Trecapelli, the adjacent landowner to the subject property, indicated that his client is in opposition to the applications. He stated that after a presentation to the community of his client's development proposal last fall, his client took into consideration the feedback received at the meeting in opposition to the sale of the park. He noted that his client would like to maintain the current zoning designation. Mr. Clarke provided several images of an urban park design commenting that it would be a compromise for those in opposition to the re-zoning. Mr. Clarke highlighted the features of his client's proposed park design which would allow for Open Space on the top of the structure with underground parking beneath. He described what an urban park is and provided images of the High Line Park in New York City as an example. He feels that the adjusted proposal would use space efficiently, fill the objectives of the current Official Plan, take into consideration the concerns of the residents and help achieve intensification targets for the downtown.
- Diane Lockhart, 182 Golden Meadow Road, inquired about the traffic flow if Mr. Trecapelli's proposed development were implemented. She stated that she is in opposition to the development proposal and supports the application to return the open space designation and zoning for the parkland.
- Ian Rowe, 140 Dunlop Street East, stated that he supports the Official Plan Amendment and the Amendment to the Zoning By-law proposed by the City of Barrie. He indicated that was supportive of the error in the zoning being corrected. He feels that the land should have always been zoned Open Space. Mr. Rowe commented that if the property adjacent to Bayview Park was to be considered for future high density development and the park is utilized for an amphitheatre, a noise study should be completed to determine if any mitigation measures would be required. He feels that the zoning of this portion of land should take into consideration the balance of the park.
- Jean Hedditch, 150 Dunlop Street East, stated that she is in support of returning the zoning back to a park use. She is not in support of condominiums at the waterfront.
- Catherine Stewart, 100 Gowan Avenue, noted that the property should return to the Open Space designation. She stated that she feels that the Toronto waterfront contains many development mistakes.
- Gord Campbell, Bayfield Street, indicated that he is in support of Mr. Trecapelli's development proposal. He feels that alot of money and effort was expended on the plan for development. He believes that the Urban Park contributes to the quality for the potential building occupants of the development proposal and their views should be considered and not views of the people who bought the condominiums who might have their view obstructed. He feels that the subject property has potential to be developed. He commented that he believes that the vote should be for all of the people and not the minority.
- Diane Bade, Barrie landowner, commented that she supports maintaining the park and feels that the zoning should return to the original designation of Open Space.
- Ken Trew, 140 Dunlop Street East, stated that his interest has nothing to do with the view from his home. He commented that the original zoning for the subject property was as parkland and the zoning error should be corrected. He stated that he does not see any reason for anybody else but the City to own the land. He believes that there is a possibility of Mr. Trecapelli's proposed development or the next stage could go even higher blocking the views for some. He commented that he does not see any reason to accept Mr. Trecapelli's proposal and that the mistake in zoning should be corrected.
- Tony Warren, 29 Poyntz Street, noted that the land was mistakenly zoned and the zoning should return to Open Space. He stated that he feels the urban park design is only concrete and is not a park and would not allow for a nice area for the children to play. He commented that the urban park design would be more suited for downtown Toronto. He explained that he believes a park should contain grass to sit on and not concrete. He encouraged City Council to rectify the mistake.
- Laurie Galeazza, 140 Dunlop Street East, stated that she uses the park all of the time and takes her dogs there to play. She noted that many families use the park as a pathway to the splashpad to avoid the main part of Lakeshore. She commented that she hopes that the park stays a park and the zoning is changed back as a park.
- Al McNair, 33 St. Vincent Street, indicated that he was representing himself and the Brereton Field Naturalists Club. He noted that the Brereton Field Naturalists Club had sent correspondence when the unsolicited development proposal was considered. He feels that the mapping error should be corrected to be Open Space as it was intended to be. He feels that the City did not spend a lot of time or money on making the error. He thanked City Council for bringing forward correction of the error and recognizing the value of Bayview Park in its entirety. He encouraged City Council to consider a policy to clearly prohibit the sale of all parkland regardless of the zoning.
- Karin Foster, stated that she opposes the sale of any parkland to make a profit for a private individual. She commented that the parkland designation was changed in error and should go back to an Open Space designation.
- Sam Cancilla, 27 Shoreview Drive, noted that he has lived in Barrie for 78 years. He feels that over the years the City has scraped and saved to acquire the precious park system enjoyed today. He feels that parkland is precious and City of Barrie residents are proud of it and do not want it sold off. He believes that the message has been received to not sell off or rezone parkland. He noted that his view has not been blocked and he does not have a vested interest but he feels that the property should be rezoned back to Open Space and that it should remain parkland.
Members of General Committee provided a number of questions related to the presentation and received responses from the presenter.
WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE:
- Correspondence from Katherine E. Suggitt dated May 1, 2013.
Mayor J. Lehman declared a potential pecuniary interest in the previous matter of the Application for a Proposed Official Plan Amendment and Amendment to the Zoning By-law as his family owns property overlooking the subject site. He did not participate in the discussion and left the Council Chamber at 7:57 p.m.