4- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 14, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Northeast Oakville residents organize Issue deferred to allow time for talk among town, residents and developer Continued from page 1 from whom many of them had purchased their homes -- to double the height of a high-density building proposed for a high-densityzoned piece of land at the corner of Prince Michael Drive and Dundas Street. The developer is also asking for the piece of that land that fronts onto Dundas to be changed from one allowing a place of worship to high density residential. Residents have said they bought into the area knowing a four-storey building was planned for the land -- those living on Agram Drive knew it would be erected behind their backyards. They don't want an eight-storey building -- even if 60 townhouses at approximately 2.5-storeys high will sit between their backyards and the eight-storey building, which will be built very close to both Dundas Street and Prince Michael Drive. Blair Taylor, the lawyer for Ashley Homes, told council the residents should like the townhomes as a buffer to the taller building rather than having a four-storey building close to their backyards. The residents, however, were emphatic they don't like the new plan. The residents are backed by their ward councillors, Janice Wright and Tom Adams, who are meeting with them and the developers. The Ward 6 councillors convinced their peers on council to send the issue back to staff so talks can continue and the residents can resurrect IRRA. Increased traffic, a lack of area Northeast Oakville residents aim to take over defunct Iroquois Ridge Residents' Association (IRRA) to voice their opposition to a high density development on Dundas Street. parkland and higher than planned density are a few of the residents' issues. The developer has justified its proposal by referring to Oakville's move toward pedestrian-friendly, transit-friendly, "new urban" neighbourhoods that follow provincial calls for intensification especially in already serviced areas and areas near transit corridors. Dundas Street is to have its function as a major transit corridor increased as Oakville grows north of Dundas. It is slated to become a six-lane major thoroughfare complete with transit lanes. Residents have been further incensed that town planners reported to council they deem the proposal good planning in keeping with local and provincial planning directions. The proposal is for 1142 Dundas Street E., on the southwest corner of Prince Michael Drive and Dundas Street East -- currently a vacant parcel facing another vacant parcel on which a commercial plaza is to go. Ashley Homes wants to build an eight-storey, 375-unit condominium apartment building and 60 townhouse units. The proposal requires an Official Plan Amendment and zoning by-law amendment to allow for an increase in building height, from four to eight storeys and a change from a place of worship designation to a residential high density designation. Residents complained that across the street, on the north side of Dundas, the Town's plan calls for buildings three to six storeys in height. The apartment would have 375 units along with the 60 townhouse units for a total unit tally of 435. That would bring somewhere between 500 to 800 people to the area. Parking is to be underground, with the exception of 15 visitors spots for the townhouses. Angela Blackburn can be reached at angela@oakvillebeaver.com. Halton Healthcare Services Corporation Tidy · Practical · Secure · Stunning Please join us at the HHS 2005/06 Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony Thursday, June 15th, 2006 Oakville Conference and Banquet Centre 2515 Wyecroft Road, Oakville Wine & Cheese Reception 6:00 7:00 p.m. Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony 7:00 p.m. The accomplishments of Long Service Staff and Medical staff will be celebrated. The MDH Award of Excellence, Dr. E.P. "Soapy" Soanes Award, Parsons and OTMH Staff Association Bursaries will also be presented. By-law changes will be recommended. Audited financial statements will be available at the meeting or by calling the Hospital Administration Office at 905-815-5114 www.haltonhealthcare.com Transform your garage. Georgetown Hospital · Milton District Hospital Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital TOLL FREE 1 888 920 0615 www.angel-wings.ca · Wood & Vinyl Shutters, Supplied & Installed · High Quality at Affordable Prices · Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed · Serving Oakville with Shop at Home Service Authorized Vinylbilt Dealer www.shuttersetc.ca Shop at Home Service FREE