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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday May 12, 2007 - 5 Developer wants townhouses built on potential school site By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER CABINET REFACING after What was advertised as a possible future school in northwest Oakville may be on its way to becoming an apartment and townhouse complex. At a public information meeting on May 16, Mattamy (Upper Middle) Ltd. will outline its proposal to build 136 residential units on a site just south of Dundas Street, on the west side of Bronte Road. The proposal has infuriated at least one local resident, who questions why a potential school site in a rapidly-expanding community would be developed so quickly. The site, near the corner of Valleyridge Drive and Highvalley Road, was labeled as a potential school site when residents purchased homes in the neighbourhood, says Nathalie Beck. "This is a neighbourhood with lots and lots of kids," says Beck, who has two young children of her own. "If you lose the site, that's it. There won't be a school in this area." The Halton District School Board has first dibs on buying the property ­ located beside a park and soccer field ­ from the devel- oper. However, if the board waives its right to purchase the land, it is zoned for medium density residential development. Although purchasers were warned that a school wasn't guaranteed for the site, Beck says it was never made clear to her that an apartment building might be erected there instead. Mattamy's proposal calls for 64 townhouse units and 72 apartment units to be built on the property. The company is seeking a zoning amendment, because the number of apartment units requested is slightly less than the minimum density zoned for the site. Although the details of the plan will be unveiled at the public meeting, a decision on the application can only be made by Town Council. The planning department says the development application will not be brought forward to council until the school board makes its decision on the site. That decision is expected over the next month or so, when Halton school board trustees review an updated capital plan. Gerry Cullen, the board's superintendent of facilities services, said the current capital plan doesn't call for construction of a school on that site, and that staff have started the internal process to release the board's claim on the property. The board, instead, is building on a nearby site on the east side of Bronte Road. Construction on an elementary school scheduled to open for September 2008, is expected to start this spring. However, the annual update on the capital plan ­ and the anticipated board release of the site ­ will require approval from trustees. Kathryn Bateman-Olmstead, Oakville's Ward 4 school board trustee, says she is going to be looking closely at the plan to ensure it meets the needs of the neighbourhood. "That development is so young," she says. "It's not just about two years from now. To me, those school sites are very important. Once they're gone, they're gone." The updated capital plan will present trustees with the latest numbers from the board's planning department, taking into account anticipated development in the area and the latest demographics from the census. The public information meeting on the Mattamy proposal will be held on May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Oakville Town Hall. before V.I.P. OFFER * ESSO GIFT CARD with the purchase of 4 Michelin® tires. Offer expires May 13, 2007 *Mail-in offer of a $50 Esso Gift Card. See your participating Michelin® retailer for details or visit www. michelin.ca. Plus a chance to win $2,500 worth of gas.** ** No purchase necessary to participate in the contest. Consult a participating Michelin® retailer for rules and regulations or visit www.michelin.ca. Creating sensational smiles in Oakville for 15 years. ROY AL WINDSOR 905-338-9919 5 338 99 www.jensentire.ca LAKESHORE RD WINSTON CHURCHILL Visit us at: JENSEN TIRE 928 Winston Churchill Blvd. Q QEW