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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 29, 2006 - 5 Town backs residents against condo plan By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER The Town of Oakville will take another stab at fighting a condominium plan at the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). This time it's an eightstorey condo on Dundas Street and Prince Michael Drive. Supporters of the condo plan say it fits provincial directives for intensification, and would put high density on Dundas Street, a future major, inter-regional transit route. Council, however, says it doesn't fit the four-storey height limit in Oakville's Official Plan (OP) or the desires of neighbouring residents. Adding another wrinkle into the debate was the last month revealing that although everyone, including the developer, assumed the height limit was four storeys because it's been written into the OP since the late 1990s, no proof can be found it was ever officially approved by council. Nevertheless, the Town will stand its ground. Councillors believe it boils down to respecting residents' wishes. They do not give up hope that a settlement could be reached en route to the OMB that would appease residents and not result in a whopping legal bill. Residents in the northeast Oakville community resurrected the defunct Iroquois Ridge Residents' Association (IRRA) to drive their point home to council -- attempting to drive the condo away from their homes, many of which were just recently purchased. They also tried to co-operate with Ashley Oak Homes, the same developer that drew up their plan of subdivision. Ashley Oak Homes went to council months ago seeking to build an eight-storey, 375-unit apartment on Dundas and Prince Michael and 60, 2.5storey townhouses between the building and Agram Drive residents to the south. For the plan to work, Ashley Oak Homes needed the Town to change the Place of Worship designation on the proposed condo site and relief from the area's four-storey height limit. Lawyer Blair Taylor, on behalf of the developer, told council the three-storey townhouse development should be much preferable in the backyards of the Agram Drive residents than if the developer simply built what was allowed -- a four-storey building just 7.5 metres from their back- yards. Taylor also noted the taller building will be pushed to the edge of Dundas Street. However, residents began to stream into council and deluge Ward 6 Councillors Tom Adams and Janice Wright with their opposition, making it apparent many had bought their homes anticipating four storeys and a place of worship -- not an eight-storey building, many more units and the associated traffic. After proposing a six-storey, terraced configuration in August -- turned down by the developer as being not different than eight storeys and less preferable to offering the townhouse buffer to the eightstorey apartment -- residents were at Town Hall Monday to say they want what the Town's OP calls for -- four storeys and a place of worship. That's what they bought into and that's what they want. Despite frustration over the glitch in the OP and the spectre of failure at the OMB, residents were backed by their councillors. Adams, in presenting a motion to deny the proposal, was backed not only by Wright, but unanimously by council. -- Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. · Sofas STOREWIDE SALE · Bedrooms ·Dining · Barstools · Accessories 1029 Speers Road, Oakville (Speers Rd. & 4th Line) 905.842.3739 · www.joshuacreekfurniture.com Hours: Mon.-Wed. 10-6, Thurs.-Fri. 10-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. CLOSED Two locations to serve you better N O W O P E N Hours: Tues.-Sat. 10-6, Sun.-Mon. CLOSED Now accepting American Express® Cards ® 2342 Lakeshore Rd. W., Bronte Village, Oakville 905.469.9876 We are the Champions! Sports-Arts-Academics ...Redefine Your Living Space We design and build Bathrooms . Kitchens . Basements FAMILY OWNED & RATED OPE John Guzzo's 2005 Minor Atom AAA Richard Bell Tournament Champions Special Souvenir Edition Alexis Mastromarco, Footloose 2005 International Competition Overall Junior Champ published by the Oakville Beaver featuring Oakville's Champions Are you the coach/manager, teacher or sponsor of a "Championship" winning sport team/athlete, musician or academic stand out? If so, you have likely already appeared within the Oakville Beaver. Now you have an opportunity to have your superstar appear in a special supplement dedicated to champions! This special feature, publishing on October 7, will include photos of championship winning teams and individuals of the 2005-06 season/competitions. Email your picture with a small description of the win. Photos accepted until October 21, 2006 Pictures without descriptions will not run. email: smastaler@oakvillebeaver.com More than 20 years of experience 198 Speers Road, Oakville The Oakville Beaver NORTH AMERICA'S MOST AWARDED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER 905-845-9675