Big disappointment at Committee of Adjustment (C of A) meeting Wednesday night concerning 633 Greenhill Ave.. Feeling very let down that 3 of the C of A's 4 current members pushed through a vote to approve the minor variances BEFORE the Tuesday June 29 meeting between the owner/developer and Oshawa residents.
I know area residents are FEELING PLAYED considering the timing of what has transpired. Two weeks ago, when the C of A first considered the site owner's application, a number of Oshawa residents spoke in opposition. I spoke in support of the residents' position as I understood their concerns.
As there was the opportunity to question the developer/owner's consultant/architect Henry Ma about the project, I did, asking 1st where else in Ontario the applicant has built because it would be nice to see a project sample. Mr. Ma answered the the owner had no building experience.
I then explained area residents were shocked to receive a Notice of the mixed-use development plan for the corner property only one week before the C of A meeting. They had no prior indication of the mixed use plans for the site.
Many are original owners who have lived in the area for over a dozen years and have been waiting for a commercial plaza to be built at the corner.
There are owner/developers who will make the effort to inform area residents of their plans by dropping off advance notice or hosting an open house as a courtesy to engage and hear questions.
Unfortunately this owner avoided doing that and improperly posted the Notice sign for the June 9th C of A meeting in a barely visible spot on the property 20 feet behind the property line and behind a wire fence and and a snow fence! I asked Mr. Ma if the owner/developer would meet with the neighbours to try and find areas of compromise. He agreed it could be arranged.
In a telephone conference June 15th with City planning staff, I asked, along with Councillor Neal and a representative of the area residents that Staff arrange the meeting between the owner/Applicant and the residents to take place PRIOR to the June 23rd C of A meeting. But this meeting ended up being scheduled AFTER the June 23 C of A meeting. As noted at the very top of this thread, it is scheduled for June 29th.
Imo given the C of A approved the minor variances Wed. June 23rd, with 3 of the current 4 Committee members going against the staff recommendation to reserve decision until after the June 29th meeting, it seems reasonable to ask why it could not have been arranged anytime before the C of A meeting.
7 well-spoken neighbourhood residents took the time to make thoughtful and reasoned points to the C of A. They now feel smacked down and imo that should never happen to Oshawa taxpayers
.
It is the right time now, imo, for City Council to arrange a citizens Community Planning Advisory Committee, to ensure strengthening public awareness of the planning process and public consideration of city-wide urban design guidelines to give feedback to Council.
I know area residents are FEELING PLAYED considering the timing of what has transpired. Two weeks ago, when the C of A first considered the site owner's application, a number of Oshawa residents spoke in opposition. I spoke in support of the residents' position as I understood their concerns.
As there was the opportunity to question the developer/owner's consultant/architect Henry Ma about the project, I did, asking 1st where else in Ontario the applicant has built because it would be nice to see a project sample. Mr. Ma answered the the owner had no building experience.
I then explained area residents were shocked to receive a Notice of the mixed-use development plan for the corner property only one week before the C of A meeting. They had no prior indication of the mixed use plans for the site.
Many are original owners who have lived in the area for over a dozen years and have been waiting for a commercial plaza to be built at the corner.
There are owner/developers who will make the effort to inform area residents of their plans by dropping off advance notice or hosting an open house as a courtesy to engage and hear questions.
Unfortunately this owner avoided doing that and improperly posted the Notice sign for the June 9th C of A meeting in a barely visible spot on the property 20 feet behind the property line and behind a wire fence and and a snow fence! I asked Mr. Ma if the owner/developer would meet with the neighbours to try and find areas of compromise. He agreed it could be arranged.
In a telephone conference June 15th with City planning staff, I asked, along with Councillor Neal and a representative of the area residents that Staff arrange the meeting between the owner/Applicant and the residents to take place PRIOR to the June 23rd C of A meeting. But this meeting ended up being scheduled AFTER the June 23 C of A meeting. As noted at the very top of this thread, it is scheduled for June 29th.
Imo given the C of A approved the minor variances Wed. June 23rd, with 3 of the current 4 Committee members going against the staff recommendation to reserve decision until after the June 29th meeting, it seems reasonable to ask why it could not have been arranged anytime before the C of A meeting.
7 well-spoken neighbourhood residents took the time to make thoughtful and reasoned points to the C of A. They now feel smacked down and imo that should never happen to Oshawa taxpayers
.
It is the right time now, imo, for City Council to arrange a citizens Community Planning Advisory Committee, to ensure strengthening public awareness of the planning process and public consideration of city-wide urban design guidelines to give feedback to Council.