Development plan alarms residents

Development plan alarms residents

CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Sheridan Nurseries' proposal to build 91 hamlet estate homes in Glen Williams prompted the turnout of close to 30 residents to a public meeting Monday night. The residents, alarmed by the increase in the number of homes (from an original 60), resulting traffic, the potential impact on the village character and the failure to meet the urban design guidelines outlined in the hamlet's new secondary plan, wanted assurances that this won't be another "cookie cutter" subdivision.

"The Sheridan plan comes as a surprise," said Drew Leverette, outgoing chair of the Glen Williams Community Association, stating his group only saw the plan three days earlier. He outlined the group's numerous concerns, especially that it does not reference the urban design guidelines residents fought for to maintain the hamlet's character.

"We believe that the Town needs to engage with Sheridan and the citizens of the Glen to revisit this proposal, with the aim of presenting a plan that more accurately honours the intent of the Glen Williams Secondary Plan," said Leverette,

Describing it as a "monumental breakdown in communication", Sheridan Nurseries planner Victor Lind welcomed a meeting with Glen residents to iron out concerns before final council approval.

"We've (Sheridan) always embraced working with the community," said Lind. "I really believe this plan closely follows the urban design guidelines and I'm sorry some of the residents haven't been involved in that discussion." See RESIDENTS, pg. 5

Continued from pg. 1 After the meeting, Leverette called Lind's offer generous and "I look forward to improving the plan through consultation." The proposal is for 91 homes-- most on halfacre-size lots with the smallest on one-quarter acre lots-- to be built on a 90-acre property, owned by Sheridan, on the south side of Prince St., west of Tenth Line. The property was included within the boundaries of the Glen Williams in the hamlet's new secondary plan. But that plan was appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board, and hearings began Tuesday. The OMB will deal with the Sheridan plan in a second phase of the hearings, scheduled for July 12. Residents were unaware of the change in the number of lots which Bob White, Town manager of development review, said was made in 2003 due to the servicing decision by Halton Region. Originally the subdivision would have been serviced through septic systems and wells, but Halton Region is now requiring that all developers service their properties by way of municipal watermains and sanitary sewers-- and bearing the cost themselves. For Sheridan, that means they must upfront $2-3 million to service the site. Both White and Lind accepted blame for the residents' lack of knowledge, both believing the community had been aware of the new plan. White said he had a few calls over the years enquiring when the development would occur, but none asked for details about it. He said he would take steps to correct this in the future, and make sure the Glen Williams Community Association is circulated all information pertain-

Residents told Glen proposal `not the start of urban sprawl'

ing to the hamlet's developments. Lind said once the subdivision receives approval, Sheridan will market it to the "right" builder who will adhere to the Glen Williams Secondary Plan's urban design guidelines. In a perfect world, he said, construction may begin in one to two years. Lind said the remaining 700 acres owned by Sheridan in the Glen Williams area is not slated, and unlikely will be, for development. "This is not the start of urban sprawl," he assured residents. White added that those lands are located with the provincial Greenbelt. Deadline for written comments to the Planning Department on the Sheridan proposal has been set for May 26. (Cynthia Gamble can be reached at cgamble@independentfreepress.com)