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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, May 22, 2013 | 10 Development plans near 14-Mile Creek draws a crowd by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff "No development east of Fourteen Mile Creek." This statement made by Fourteen Mile Creek Residents' Association Vice President Huw Da- vid generated thunderous applause from more than 100 people last Wednesday evening. David made the pronouncement during an open house at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre intended to give residents a chance to weigh in on the fu- ture of the Merton Lands. The property is located in the Bronte Road/ QEW area, and the Town's efforts to get some planning guidelines in place for future development has generated considerable community interest. It also resulted in the birth of a new residents' organization in Oakville -- the Fourteen Mile Creek Residents' Association. The group began two weeks ago with a few living room conversations. It then rapidly mobilized with members canvassing surrounding neighbourhoods to raise awareness. By the time last week's open house rolled around, the organization had approximately 260 households within its membership, not counting those who signed up at last Wednesday's meeting. "I don't think people are totally against development. We all live in developments," said David. "People just have an expectation that the stable residential area they live in, stays that way." Due to concern about the impact development could have on the nearby residential communities, the group said it would not support any proposal put forward by the Town that would permit development east of Fourteen Mile Creek. David called this a quality-of-life issue and an environmental issue with the nearby communities not wanting to lose the trees and animals they've grown accustomed to having in the neighbourhood. Ensuring protection of the creek itself was another condition the group considers essential. "This is a significant ecological gem really for this area. It is a nice deep valley with a lot of wildlife and mature trees. We want to keep that," said David. "If we, as a community, start building paths in there, bridges in there, we are going to eat away at it... We can't allow that." The group is also calling for the development that does take place west of the creek to be responsible and complement the surrounding area. The 234-hectare Merton Lands are made up of the Saw Whet Golf Course and Deerfield Golf Course; Fourteen Mile Creek and natural heritage features associated with Bronte Creek; the Mid-Halton Water Pollution Control Plant; and the Halton Regional Centre. Shaniah Leduc, wife of Fourteen Mile Creek Residents' Association President Scott Leduc, said the group would like to see nothing above two-storey residential development on the privately-owned Saw Whet lands. They would also like to see the green space at the Deerfield Golf Course maintained. With these goals in mind, Leduc said the new association cannot support any of the three options for development guidelines presented by Town staff so far. Staff said during the open house that nothing See Residents on p.14 GOLF SEASON IS OFFICIALLY OPEN! LINE UP at Oakville Volkswagen Total of 36 in stock Swing in, make your best deal and let us take you Golfing!!! $2000 CASH BACK on selected models* ** Retail value $238, includes green fees, range priviliges, valid all season. *All gas models. TDI models eligible for $1000 cash back Plus... all in stock Golf deliveries (Gas or Diesel) receive 2 green fees at Pipers Heath** Until May 31, 2013 CELEBRATE vw.ca Included with every in stock purchase: Two 2013 season green fees at Piper's Heath Golf Club** Purchase a vehicle from Oakville Volkswagen and we will make a Donation to the Oakville Hospital Foundation!