P-)t r 1rt4 ',ý t 0: t, ; ,'qeÇIJ $r1i ta P , 6 A Whihy Free Press, Wednesclay, May 11, 1994, Page 5 Church makes 3rd bl*d for developm--ent By Mfike Kowalski A Whitby church la stili trying to win neighbourhood acceptance of its plans for a housing deve- lopment. t'or th e second time in 16 months, Faith Baptist Church has- filed a revised application for a subdivision on Taunton Road, east of Brock Street. This marks the third time that 'Faith Baptist offliciais have sub- mitted rezoning and officiai plan amendment applications for pro- perty they own south of the church building. While their previous proposais met with opposition from area homeowners, this latest revision appears to have addressed many of the residents' comn plaints. But not everyone was happy with the new proposaI when it was unveiled during a public meeting heid by Town councii's planning and development com- mittee last week. But from the residents' pers- pectiÎve, the source of most of their previous objections has been removed. A controversial 90-unit non- profit housing complex has been scrappedby church officiais. Planning consultant Bryce Jor- dan, representing Faith Baptist, toid committee that church offi- ciaIs have decided not to be involved in Ontario's non-profit housing programn. Instead of 90 medium density units (46 townhouses and 44 apartments) and 16 single deta- ched lots the proposai now con- sista of b singie-family homes, five semi-detached lots (10 units) and 16 townhouses. Also included is a 0.915-hec- tare park and provisions for a 'rgPt-of-way' block for the future ext4hsion of Stonemnanor Avenue through to Brock Street. Plans te, expand the church have been taken out of the pro- p osaI and will be dealt with in a future site plan application, a planning departmnent report notes. Jordan told committee that foi- lowing meetings with Town staff and residents, church officiais beiieve the latest proposai addresses many, if not ail, objec- tions te the original plan. "nhe most significant change is the deletion of the medium density block that was originaliy te, be non-profit,» he said. In February 1992, Faith Bapt- ist initialiy proposed a 106-unit deveiopment consisting of eight three-storey townhouse blocks and a- four-storey apartment building. But objections to road pat- terns, housing mix and generai layout were voiced by residienta. The plan was altered and pre- Less resistance from neighbours to new plan_ sented at a public meeting in January 1993. However, opponents stili expressed concerne about density, increased traffic, fire protection and the impact of more children on local schools. But the most contentious issue was a proposai, to develop a portion of the project as non- profit housing. More than one homeowner claixned this would detrimentall affect property values and attract «undesirabies" to the area. Although not a member of the committee, councillor John Dol- stra, who represents the area, was allowed to comment on the new application. Speaking fromn the audience, Dolstra said residents were pleased with the reduction in units and hie thanked church officiais for their willingness to compromise. However, Tom Davison of Stonemanor Aveniue, speaking on behaif of his neighbours, said a number of issues are still out- standing. Residents want to be consuited on the design of the new homes to ensure they "flow in nicely» with existing houses, Davison said. They also want imput into the type of facilities instailed in the park, he added. Other homeowners also expressed concerns about church- goers parking on nearby streets and lack of access to the park. But councillor Dennis Fox ter- med the application a «great improvement over previous pro- posais. "nhe church should be com- mended for sensitivity to the community in a way another developer rnight Inot have been,» said Fox. Following the meeting, Jordan said opposition to the non-profit housing component did not force church officiaIs to drop that part of the proposai. Razther, it was changes to pro- vincial regulations governing non-profit housing, Jordan 'Unerthe new rules the church would no longer have control over management and occupancy of the development,» he said. Faith Baptist officiais had hoped to build the complex for members of its congregation, but that la not possible when using public funds, Jordan sad. uT'hey understand the pro- vinoe's position, but it was some- thing they were not prepared to get into,» h said. The revised application will now be circulateJlfor additional p ublic and agency comment efore coming back to committee with a recommendation from planning staff. 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