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040119 Regular Council Meeting MinutesMINUTES: Meeting for the Committee "Open Council" II Review Access: • Public Q Private MINUTES Town of Tillsonburg Meeting for the Committee "Open Council" on Monday January 19, 2004 07:00 PM Council Chambers Chair: Stephen Molnar Orders of the Day: Call to Order Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest or the General Nature Thereof Adoption of Agenda Public Meetings Adjournment CALL TO ORDER DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST OR THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF ADOPTION OF AGENDA > No. 1 Moved by Councillor Renaud Seconded by Councillor Patenaude AND RESOLVED THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Special Council Meeting of January 19th, 2004 be adopted. "Carried" PUBLIC MEETINGS 1. Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zone Change - Town of Tillsonburg/Bill and Eleanor Furlong (Canadian Tired D Presented By: Mr. Paul Michiels, Planner, County of Oxford Additional Correspondence received with respect to applications: i) Cyril J. Demeyere r'm*� Page 1 MINUTES: Meeting for the Committee "Open Council" 1 Demeyere.pdf The CAO introduced the following persons in attendance. Mr. Ron Richards, First Capital, presented an overview. Mr. Paul Michiels, Planner, County of Oxford, reviewed the report as prepared by the County of Oxford Planning Department, as attached. Mayor Molnar offered an opportunity for public input in support of the subject applications. Mr. Iry Horton appeared in support of the subject applications. He noted the importance of maintaining Canadian Tire in the downtown and referenced findings of an earlier study... whereby it was determined that for every $1.00 spent at the Canadian Tire Store ... an additional $.51 was spent in the downtown businesses. He added that we would all prosper by this development. Mr. Horton further noted that in 2003, the Town, Canadian Tire and First Capital reached an agreement with respect to the essential terms of building a new Canadian Tire Store ... and he encouraged support of the development, in hopes that the new Canadian Tire store will be open for business before Christmas 2004. Mr. John Lamont, owner of property across from Bert Newman Park, appeared in support of development. He noted that, at first look of the plan, he didn't feel the developers ,�■� would get a lot of resistance to the proposed plan, as the changes are not going to be too intrusive to the property owners. The plan seems to be compatible with the residential properties that bank against the Tillsonburg Town Centre property. He did not concerns, however, with the height and materials that will be used for the privacy fence and sound barriers. Mayor Molnar then offered an opportunity for public input, objecting to the subjection applications. Mayor noted that correspondence had been received from Mr. and Mrs. Chute, as attached. Mayor noted further noted correspondence received from Mr. Demeyere, also attached. Mr. Demeyere was not present at the meeting. Mr. Gene Walsh questioned was degree of input from local ratepayers went into this project and plan. Mayor Molnar echoed his response, as stated at the All Candidates Night prior to the Election. He noted, as indicated by the presence in Council Chambers, that the deal is not a'done' deal. Opportunity is being given for public input. Staff are working with public comment and issues, as indicated in the County report, attached. Mayor Molnar stated that he believes the opportunity for public input has been there all along. Mr. Diane Chute, owner of property at the corner of Frank and Venison, appeared before Council. She indicated that she had been told that the road allowance on Venison Street has been closed. Page 2 MINUTES: Meeting for the Committee "Open Council" The CAO responded that, in fact, Venison Street had never been opened. In 1995, Council went through a public process to close Venison Street, as it was required by The Municipal Act to advertise for four weeks prior to passing a by-law. Venison Street on the attached plan should be shown as 'closed'. The lot itself has, technically, always been zoned as residential 'R1'. In 1995, the municipality had advertised the lot and it was sold as a building lot. However, it was found at that time, that the property was not a viable building lot, and the proposed purchaser asked to get out of the deal. Ms. Alice Ross, owner of Tip Top Cleaners, appeared before Council questioning if the new Bridge Street would be built prior to the current Bridge Street being taken out. The CAO responded that it is recognized that Bridge Street acts as a collector road in terms of the downtown. However, realistically, there will be a period of time that it will be closed. Mayor Molnar directed municipal staff to inform property owners in that area prior to such road closing. Mr. Andy Jacko was present and questioned ownership of property. Mr. Richards responded that First Capital will own the Norfolk Mall within a matter of days. He added that the planning process that applies to the Norfolk Mall would not allow for Canadian Tire to move to that location. First Capital purchased the Norfolk Mall due to a possible threat to the Town Centre Mall. Ms. Mabel Hollier was present and questioned why it was necessary to move Bridge 10� Street to such a degree and removal a main artery. She questioned why parking could not be located across Bridge Street. Response to Ms. Hollier was that there are underground services, etc. that prevented that. The Director of Operations added that in order to keep Bridge Street in its current location, would eliminate 1/3 of the square footage required to make this project viable for Canadian Tire. Mr. Jess Allan was present and questioned why Bridge Street could not be moved 50 to 75 feet to the north. Mr. Richards responded that it had been a very difficult process to lay out this site. Staff had requested a traffic study and the proposed layout seems to be the most appropriate. They have tried to make something work in an established downtown area. Mr. John Lamont questioned ownership of trees in the area between the existing Bridge Street and the homeowners on Venison Street. He questioned who is responsible for dead trees in that area. The CAO responded that those trees are on Town property, and if there are some that should be removed, the Town would take care of that. He noted, however, that the intent was that none of those trees would be removed, other than dead ones. Mayor Molnar suggested such concerns be addressed through staff or through the Customer Service Centre. Ms. Melissa Reid was present with questioned with respect to stop lights. Page 3 MINUTES: Meeting for the Committee "Open Council" The Director of Operations noted that a traffic consultant had looked at this and there was no indication that a traffic signal would be required at this time, however that could be monitored. Mr. Robert Lehman was present, representing property owners. He asked for assurance that if trees in the area are altered in any way, remediation work would be done. Mayor Molnar offered an opportunity for Council to comment or ask questions. In response to a question of Councillor Stephenson, Mr. Richards responded that the new CanadianTire will be built at relatively the same elevation as it is now. The Verhoeve property will remain higher. Councillor Lewis noted the significant impact of this project and stated that it is one of the most important things we'll do. He further noted its importance in addressing the environmental hazard facing the Norfolk Mall. Councillor Patenaude noted concerns with the appearance of the garden centre. She noted that the plans indicate it will be landscaped very well, concerns still remain that it may appear busy and untidy. Mr. Richards responded that a rod iron fence (Iron Eagle) is being proposed and it would be held up by masonry pillars. He noted that extensive landscaping will obscure as much as reasonably possible. Mr. Richards added that the property will be 1.4 metres below Broadway, so the property will be recessed, and the front view will be softened. eg*1 Councillor Renaud noted traffic changes, and what arrangements would be made for traffic off of Broadway. The Director of Operations responded that the turning would be no different that what's currently in place. Councillor Renaud further questioned the sequencing of works, and noted the importance of Bridge Street being closed for the shortest possible period of time. Mrs. Chute questioned if the Town's noise by-law would be enforced once this area was developed. The CAO responded that the noise by-law predominantly addresses residential area concerns. He added that there are always noise concerns when you introduce commercial development next to a residential area. There was a noise study completed, and all necessary precautions have been taken to minimize noise. If, however, issues become apparently, those issues should be brought forward. The following resolution was passed. Resolution > No. 2 Moved by Councillor Smith Seconded by Councillor Lamb AND RESOLVED THAT Ti l l s onburg Town Council advise Oxford County Council that they are in favour of and application Page 4 MINUTES: Meeting for the Committee "Open Council" r4ft� to amend the Official Plan by the Town of Tillsonburg and Bill and Eleanor Furlong to redesignate lands located at Part of Lot 994, 1013 and 1026, Plan 500 and Part of the Market Street Road Allowance, in the Town of Tillsonburg, from 'Open Space' and 'Entrepreneurial District' to 'Central Commercial' with special policies to allow for the development of the Canadian Tire store and associated parking: AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Town of Tillsonburg approve -in -principle the application by the Town of Tillsonburg and Bill and Eleanor Furlong to rezone lands located at Part of Lot 994, 1013 and 1026, Plan 500 and Part of the Market Road Allowance from 'Residential Type 1 (R1)' and 'Open Space (0)' to Special 'Central Commercial (C1 -Special)' policies, to allow for the development of the Canadian Tire store and associated parking, and to update the parking requirements for a shopping centre. "Carried" No. 3 Moved by Councillor Smith Seconded by Councillor Lamb AND RESOLVED THAT a Special Council Meeting be scheduled for January 29th, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. to pass a zoning by-law regarding the Canadian Tire development. "Carried" ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned. Approval Received: (1 of 1) Lana Lund/Tillsonburg (Monday January 26, 2004 03:41 PM) Town of Tillsonburg Page 5