Last fall the developer MINTO asked that a LARGE (27 acre) OSHAWA COMMUNITY PARK, planned since 2010 and approved in Oshawa’s Official Plan in 2014 now be REMOVED from Minto’s plan of subdivision north of the future extension of Britannia Rd. E between Wilson Rd. and Harmony Rd. AND RELOCATED FURTHER NORTH AND DELAYED to some future time.
Although some might think removing this Community Park impacts only the new planned area in the north of the City, consider how this impacts all Oshawa residents!
The Parks Facility Implementation Strategy has acknowledged there are serious existing City park facility deficiencies, which “include but are not limited to: a major level playground, a major level splash pad, full sized baseball diamonds, tennis courts and an international sized soccer field”. Consequently, the idea that the acquisition and development of this Community Park would be relocated and postponed is alarming! All residents of Oshawa should be aware of what is happening.
Especially at this time of COVID-19 the public is more than ever conscious of how there is need for more parks and green-space in our communities. To quote Adam Shoalts : It’s a straightforward equation. You have a number of residents, and you need a certain amount of park space. You need more park space in the city. If we’re going to expect people in this country to protect themselves against the spread of infection and continue to self-isolate long-term, and if we’re going to expect that they emerge on the other side with their health intact and their quality of life undiminished, they need better access to generous expanses of open nature."
When this change of the Community Park plan was first raised, I strenuously objected. I only found some consolation when the rest of the Development Services committee voted to approve an investigation, since staff had stated in writing that “based on a fulsome investigation and review staff would report back to Committee and Council with a recommendation to either proceed …or not to proceed with the relocation where it is determined by staff to be impractical”.
But there has been NO STAFF REPORT about such a fulsome investigation and review since Minto’s request was brought to Development Services Committee last September!
Yet, on Thursday June 25 6:30 p.m. at the City’s first electronic public Planning Meeting, among the three matters on the Agenda, is Minto’s application to AMEND the Kedron Part II Plan of the Oshawa Official Plan, and in the Notice of the Public Meeting it states
Why:
(a) To permit Single Detached Dwellings in a Medium Density I Residential designation; and,
(b) (b) To permit alternative residential land uses in the Community Park designation in the event that the Community Park is relocated or otherwise not needed, in whole or in part.
Here is a link to the Sept 25, 2019 Report where Minto's request to change the Community Park was 1st presented
http://app.oshawa.ca/agendas/Development_Services/2019/09-30/REPORT_DS-19-170.pdf
And below is a rendering that shows 'outlined in red' where the City's Official plan is for the 27 acre Community Park in the Kedron Part II Plan, and then the Public Notice of the Meeting with a map showing in black the area where this Minto plan of subdivision is located.
I care, I hope others do too. The trouble is that this matter has a ‘remote’ feel and is made to seem off the radar.
Who will speak up on this important issue? Anyone can send emails and delegations requests to [email protected] between now and Thursday June 25th.
It is up to the public to express what is in the public interest! Let the City know if you believe in keeping this planned Oshawa Community Park on the map and on the calendar!
Although some might think removing this Community Park impacts only the new planned area in the north of the City, consider how this impacts all Oshawa residents!
The Parks Facility Implementation Strategy has acknowledged there are serious existing City park facility deficiencies, which “include but are not limited to: a major level playground, a major level splash pad, full sized baseball diamonds, tennis courts and an international sized soccer field”. Consequently, the idea that the acquisition and development of this Community Park would be relocated and postponed is alarming! All residents of Oshawa should be aware of what is happening.
Especially at this time of COVID-19 the public is more than ever conscious of how there is need for more parks and green-space in our communities. To quote Adam Shoalts : It’s a straightforward equation. You have a number of residents, and you need a certain amount of park space. You need more park space in the city. If we’re going to expect people in this country to protect themselves against the spread of infection and continue to self-isolate long-term, and if we’re going to expect that they emerge on the other side with their health intact and their quality of life undiminished, they need better access to generous expanses of open nature."
When this change of the Community Park plan was first raised, I strenuously objected. I only found some consolation when the rest of the Development Services committee voted to approve an investigation, since staff had stated in writing that “based on a fulsome investigation and review staff would report back to Committee and Council with a recommendation to either proceed …or not to proceed with the relocation where it is determined by staff to be impractical”.
But there has been NO STAFF REPORT about such a fulsome investigation and review since Minto’s request was brought to Development Services Committee last September!
Yet, on Thursday June 25 6:30 p.m. at the City’s first electronic public Planning Meeting, among the three matters on the Agenda, is Minto’s application to AMEND the Kedron Part II Plan of the Oshawa Official Plan, and in the Notice of the Public Meeting it states
Why:
(a) To permit Single Detached Dwellings in a Medium Density I Residential designation; and,
(b) (b) To permit alternative residential land uses in the Community Park designation in the event that the Community Park is relocated or otherwise not needed, in whole or in part.
Here is a link to the Sept 25, 2019 Report where Minto's request to change the Community Park was 1st presented
http://app.oshawa.ca/agendas/Development_Services/2019/09-30/REPORT_DS-19-170.pdf
And below is a rendering that shows 'outlined in red' where the City's Official plan is for the 27 acre Community Park in the Kedron Part II Plan, and then the Public Notice of the Meeting with a map showing in black the area where this Minto plan of subdivision is located.
I care, I hope others do too. The trouble is that this matter has a ‘remote’ feel and is made to seem off the radar.
Who will speak up on this important issue? Anyone can send emails and delegations requests to [email protected] between now and Thursday June 25th.
It is up to the public to express what is in the public interest! Let the City know if you believe in keeping this planned Oshawa Community Park on the map and on the calendar!
