Resident Steve Roper gave a deputation during a public meeting on Jan. 23, 2023 regarding the Eden Oaks development. Photo:
Developer & Town compromise on Raglan Street Plans
This is the article posted in Collingwood Today in regards the the decision between Eden Oaks and The Town of Collingwood – October 26, 2023.
By Jessica Owens.
The town, developer and neighbours of the Eden Oak development in Collingwood worked together, and based on the recently released Ontario Land Tribunal order, came to a compromise.
The Eden Oak development is a proposal for 20 single detached homes and 108 townhouses on Collingwood’s south-east side off Portland Street between Hurontario and Raglan Street. The proposed development includes a park connecting to the Collingwood/Clearview Rail Trail, walkways and a stormwater management area.
There’s an existing berm on the property line, the proposed removal of which has been a source of contention with neighbours. The latest compromise involves the developer pledging to keep the land berm in place.
Eden Oak Inc. and the Town of Collingwood have been working through the process at the Ontario Land Tribunal after Eden Oak filed an appeal of non-decision this past summer regarding their 452 Raglan St. development. On Oct. 17, the tribunal released a decision on the file, with adjudicator Steven Dixon noting the development applications had been revised following consultation with the public.
“The combined input from the public and participants was used by the appellant and the town to revise the applications – and in particular, the draft plan conditions – leading to a settlement between the parties,” notes the order.
Back in January, the town held a public meeting on the Eden Oak file to hear questions and concerns from the public before they officially took a position at the tribunal. At that time, 10 residents provided comments led by Steve Roper, with more in the audience attending to lend support to those who spoke.
The preservation of an existing berm on the site was raised as a major issue for many of the deputants, as well as preservation of greenspace on the site.
To see the presentation made at the meeting, click here >
In an interview with Collingwood Today this week, Roper says five councillors including Mayor Yvonne Hamlin came back to visit the site following the January 23, 2023 meeting to see the issues discussed in person.
“Several reached out to me afterwards and five walked the property with me. That was very encouraging. I’d like to thank them,” he said. “I’m hoping that by seeing that (councillors) are paying attention, will make others feel more confident in speaking about what’s on their minds.”
“It gives me a lot of confidence. We couldn’t have done it without everyone being involved. I’m very pleased with the decision,” said Roper.
Changes made to the development proposal following public consultation include the developer agreeing to preserve the berm on the property, and the developer agreeing to keep the stormwater management facility in a naturalized and unfenced state to preserve the existing pond. The pond will be taken over by the town after construction is completed.
During construction, the developer has also agreed to only remove vegetation not during bird breeding season, or during the active season for bats.
Blocks within the development will be set aside for parkland, walkways, open space and environmental protection purposes. A tree preservation plan must be submitted to the town before any tree clearing can occur. As well, an existing bridge within the development that runs over the Pretty River will remain under the order, but will be reconstructed by the town as a future pedestrian bridge. There is no timeline for this included in the order.
“Overall, I am pleased with the outcome of this OLT appeal. The written decision states that the settlement reached represents good planning and confirmed the town’s approach to best planning practices,” Mayor Yvonne Hamlin said in an emailed statement sent to Collingwood Today.
“I would especially like to thank the residents who provided valuable input into the final outcome,” she said.
An appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal related to non-decision can occur when the town does not meet the deadlines included in the Planning Act for making a decision on a development application. When an appeal is filed with the OLT, typically work is halted on that file until the appeal is settled or ruled upon.
The OLT adjudicates matters related to land use planning, environmental and natural features and heritage protection, land valuation, land compensation, municipal finance, or heritage. When a landowner disagrees with a planning decision made at their municipal council, they have the option of appealing that decision to the tribunal.
Looking ahead, Roper says he’s now in the process of writing to council to find out how the ruling will be enforced.
“We’ve got a lot of the environmental issues answered, but my question is, who is going to oversee all of this and make sure this (ruling) is followed?” said Roper. “I’d like to make sure there’s some oversight.”
He also notes some members of his resident group have expressed concerns about traffic plans during construction. He personally wonders about the bridge, specifically when the town plans to take the old bridge down and when they’ll be erecting a new bridge.
“Once it gets started, I’m going to be paying attention,” he said.
Two agents for developer Eden Oak Inc. did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.
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