Concerned Midland residents required extra seating and stood in the wings during last night’s public meeting regarding a proposed Little Lake Park development which could impact the ecology of the area.
At the public meeting for 983 Yonge Street, council chambers filled with roughly 40 residents voicing their opposition to an official plan amendment and zoning bylaw amendment.
Developers Delbrook Group, represented by Jamie Robinson of MHBC Planning at the meeting, looked at rezoning the greenlands and natural heritage designation of the 4.3 hectares (10.6 acres) west of Keller Drive in the west end, to potentially create 137 residential units including two 43-unit apartments, 29 townhouses, and other homes.
Robinson addressed concerns given at an earlier open house, noting that settlement areas focus on growth and development as a means to protect resources and natural heritage features in surrounding rural areas.
“Planning is often about finding a balance,” said Robinson. “There’s often competing interests, whether it’s from an environmental perspective or from the perspective of providing land (and opportunity) for housing.”
He added that “big picture thinking” about considerations was important. “That’s why the environmental consultant was retained and they provided some solid mitigation measures, in my experience, to ensure those significant features are appropriately managed.”
At the podium, several environmentalists and concerned residents reiterated their reasons why the proposed development should be modified. Opinions ranged from leaving the lands untouched, to developing but with a much smaller scale similar to Kellar Drive.
Applause was given to each opposition speaker, but the largest clamour came after Traver Gammell addressed similarities to the Greenbelt development scandal of Premier Doug Ford’s government. Gammell challenged affordable and attainable housing costs for the development, cautioning that purchases could be flipped for greed, and offering that other places could be developed “but not in this spot.”
René Hackstetter, speaking on other past developments which drained into Little Lake resulting in the initiation of protection measures, said: “I find it very odd that the public has to defend something that has already been put in place by our environmental laws saying these are designated heritage areas.”
The comment was further reinforced by former Midland councillor Pat File who spoke to the current council “striking that balance”, and difficulties of council-of-the-day to designate natural heritage lands within the town “because there is a lot of competition for that land”.
“I also want to make a plea on behalf of Little Lake Park, because I’m also one of the residents of Midland who thinks of Little Lake as a gem,” said File.
Lise Turcotte spoke about the many vacant lots and buildings in the downtown core that could be better used for creating new housing than chipping away at areas adjacent to Little Lake Park.
"I'm a big advocate for the park, that's why I'm here," she said. "There are a lot of empty buildings and vacant parking lots. Why not use those places and build affordable housing there instead of using the park?"
Throughout the meeting, Robinson took notes to the side. He informed MidlandToday upon conclusion that “respectful and insightful” resident concerns were heard.
“The next step for us is to take that information provided,” said Robinson, “review it with the various consultants that provided their reports, and then prepare responses to the comments that were received and circulate those back to staff.”
Mayor Bill Gordon thanked residents for showing up in such large quantities, adding a quip that he wished so many residents took interest in the town’s annual budget discussions as well, referencing that just one resident attended last year.
The public meeting report for 983 Yonge Street is available in the council agenda on the town of Midland website.
Council meetings are held every third Wednesday, and can be viewed on Rogers TV cable channel 53 when available, or through the livestream on the Rogers TV website. Archives of council meetings are available through Rogers TV and on the Town of Midland’s YouTube channel.
