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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday October 20, 2006 - 3 Ward 2 residents worried by intensification By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Concerns over development and intensification were the focus of Tuesday's all-candidates meeting held by the West Harbour Residents' Association. The event filled the basement room of O'Finn's Irish Temper Fred Oliver Lounge on Church St., attracting more than 100 residents who wanted to hear what candidates had to say about the future of Ward 2. Sporting a "growth control" button on his suit jacket, mayoral candidate Rob Burton took shots at the existing Official Plan, which he called "a patchwork of errors, loopholes and inconsistencies" that developers had been exploiting. His priority as mayor, he said, will be to create a new plan he calls "Liveable Oakville," which will protect residents against new developments and taxes. Burton plans to put rules in place for developers that include "do no harm," "check the facts" and "defend the plan," he said. "It's a comprehensive new Official Plan, that I believe we need." That sentiment was echoed by mayoral candidates Janice Wright and Chris Stoate at Tuesday's meeting, which allowed each candidate five minutes to speak. Both Wright (Ward 6 Town and Region) and Stoate (Ward 3 Town) are sitting members of Town Council. "Our Official Plan is 30 years old. That's not good enough," said Wright, who added for planning that does occur in Oakville "the town's talent" should be used. Stoate, who said current bylaws were "full of holes" and "contradictions," highlighted the idea that waiting to see plans and then deciding to fight them isn't the right approach. Stoate said it's essential to change the Town's relationship with the development community to "find a way to work with them. "We must take full responsibility for our future," he said. "We must make plans to protect our neighbourhoods, to protect our downtown." Incumbent Ann Mulvale reminded those in attendance that provincial legislation determines ers. He said they could all be involved in the report on intensification. In a fairly non-vocal meeting ­ no questions were asked from the crowd ­ Oliver struck a chord with residents when he mentioned his desire to use funds to improve the harbour on the west side of Sixteen-Mile Creek, earning applause mid-way through his speech. Glenn Woolfrey John Hogg Oakville's development. "We need to come to terms with the reality that the Province sets numbers," she said. "You change things by changing provincial legislation." Having say and power over things like urban design in town is critical, said Mulvale, who noted her participation in the Places to Grow initiative and told residents to check out the Draft Growth plan. "We can make huge strides on the issues of sustainable neighbourhoods," she said. "We have got the planets aligned to get substantial reform on all issues." Mulvale also said she anticipates that both a Federal and Provincial election will occur in the next year, which means it's important to start acting now ­ and with "a collective, well-reasoned voice." "We need to be sitting down with residents' associations such as yours so we can dismiss the myth that all density needs to be tall," she said. Ward 2 Town and Regional councillor candidates ­ John Hogg, Glenn Woolfrey and incumbent Fred Oliver ­ also spoke of the importance of hearing the ward's voices. "I will work with the executive and facilitate dialogue to have your concerns addressed," said Hogg. "We cherish our heritage. We need to be heard loud and clear on this issue." Woolfrey said a "community plan" developed collectively with all stakeholders is key, and something he'll implement if elected. Woolfrey says he'll hold public meetings and workshops and make available online surveys to allow residents to voice their opinions on future growth so he can be their "conduit of information" on council. 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