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I <Xl)r Camiinan Blaleemnn Over 1,100 Homes Under Way Last Year Alone Newcastle's Building Boom Continues Subdivisions are growing at their most rapid rate in Courtice, where action is occurring on both sides of Hwy. Two. However, Planning Director Terry Ed wards says that adherence to the Official Plan will keep Bowmanville as the centre ofthe municipality. Putting the roofing in place brought Art Stacey a little closer to the warm sun during the construction on this home. by Rob Savage The view from one's room is changing drastically in Newcastle. For when many people look out the window, they notice that buildings and subdivisions have replaced replaced the sunny landscapes landscapes they used to see. It's part of a building boom in the Town of Newcastle Newcastle which is coming at a fast and furious rate. Last year, for example, there were 1,149 permits for residential units issued last year, with 579 issued for Courtice alone. To date, there are no signs that the boom is anywhere near an end. Statistics to the end of February show that 143 residential permits have been issued with 98 of them in Courtice. "I think we're just going to take off," Newcastle Planning Director Terry Edwards says of the recent developments. In fact, the Planning Department Department has already been hit by the impacts of the boom, since they must process process each application for a new development. Mr. Edwards says the tremendous tremendous growth in residential residential development places many demands on the town for municipal services. He reasons that the town is doing well in meeting those demands. "I think we're coping admirably," admirably," he said. At the same time, he recognizes recognizes that any problems created by the building boom are not solely confined confined to municipal staff and politicians. He admits there are concerns within the community itself. One of those concerns is for the agricultural land in Newcastle. Our municipality municipality has some ofthe prime agricultural agricultural land in Canada and there is a fear the land will be used up by the new homes. Mr. Edwards says he shares the residents' feelings. feelings. "Agriculture is without a doubt the number one industry industry in Canada," Mr. Edwards Edwards said. He notes that the regional Official Plan calls for the preservation of agricultural agricultural lands and that adherence adherence to the Official Plan will see that result. "I fully support the policy of the Official Plan re- . laled to preserving agricul- ., ture," he said. In fact, he warns that Canada Canada as a whole must start thinking about the preservation preservation of agricultural lands or we risk a complete loss of that industry. "We're going to find ourselves ourselves in a situation where we're having to rely solely on imports for our food," he said. Another concern facing long-time community members members is the new growth in Courtice. At the present time, development development in Courtice includes includes the Courtice Heights North subdivision at Nash and Trulls roads, the Holland Holland and Schleiss development development by Varcoes Road and the impending Kassinger developments which should be between those two. South of Hwy. 2, the growth includes the 681 unit Courtice Heights South development development at Trulls and Prestonvale roads and the Halminen homes development development west of Prestonvale which has at least 133 single family units. Some fear that Courtice will soon become the centre of the municipality, although although Mr. Edwards argues that adherence to the Official Official Plan will see Bowmanville Bowmanville maintained as the town's centre. He says the plan should ultimately see the popula tion in Courtice reach 25,000 while Bowmanville should eventually be 42,500. But he stresses that adherence adherence to the Official Plan is the key. The Official Plan is made up of a regional Official Plan drawn up in 1976 and a municipal Official Plan which covers the urban areas. Mr. Edwards calls it a "good plan" and says it specifically points out the areas for residential, industrial industrial and commercial growth, along with the areas that should be left alone. Conformity to the Official Plan is the first thing the Planning Department looks at in considering a building application. Following that, details ofthe site and possible possible affects on the environment environment and the community are taken into account. Eventually, Mr. Edwards says the Planning Staff will recommend or deny an application application on the basis of its planning merits and its affect affect on the public. From there, council interprets the public reactions and makes the final decision. He notes that public interest interest in the Planning decisions decisions has grown considerably. considerably. At one time, it appeared appeared the interest was small and Mr. Edwards said he was disturbed by the small numbers that appeared appeared at a public meeting on the municipal Official Plan in the early 1980's. In fact, two of the three meetings saw only three people in attendance. "I was a little bit disturbed,!' disturbed,!' Mr. Edwards confessed. confessed. "You can't really plan appropriately in that kind of vacuum." However, the apathy has left and people now take an active interest in the proposed proposed changes. It's created a situation where planning policies and public concerns concerns can be combined in the final decision. "We're looking after the public interest," Mr. Edwards Edwards said. "Trying to make sure we're not ignoring that interest." Dave Lightbourn is seen mixing the cement which will be quickly used in bricklaying at the home where he's working. Setting the bricks straight is just one of the many careful chores involved in the building boom in the municipality's subdivisions, And builders will bo quick to note that the care put into (lie new homes is often much better than that seen in some of Metro Toronto's new subdivisions. Seen here laying the bricks is Handy Lane. Dan Jessup is seen levelling the land which will eventually contain an attractive front yard. Dale Drier worked to make sure this home's soffits were an exact fit, And it appears he was successful as lie's pictured here putting the Iasi piece into place.