Pickering supports growth scenario

July 17, 2008 - 11:17

By Kristen Calis

PICKERING -- The City has approved a plan regarding north Pickering's future too quickly, said a couple of Pickering councillors.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell and Ward 1 Regional Councillor Bonnie Littley criticized expanding Pickering's urban boundaries into the Whitebelt (undeveloped land in north Pickering that still has the ability for development) in order to accommodate future growth. But after a lengthy discussion and a few amendments, council approved the plans at Monday's council meeting.

The Scenario Evaluation and Recommended Preferred Growth Scenario Working Paper was prepared by consultants, revised by the Region, and sent to the City for its comments as part of the Durham Growth Plan Implementation Study. It was sent to the City in mid-June and comments to the Region were due Monday. Couns. O'Connell and Littley tried to defer the matter to a later date, but that was defeated.

"We provide more notice for a Town hall meeting than our future in the north," Coun. O'Connell said.

Although staff supported the scenario, it found many clarifications should be made regarding proposed functions, land uses and densities.

"How can we support an urban boundary expansion when we don't have that information yet?" Coun. Littley said.

She said the plan needs firm boundaries, and criticized the extension into precious environmental areas.

"What about the headwaters of Carruthers Creek?" she said. "I thought our policy was environment first."

But Ward 2 City Councillor Doug Dickerson, who's spent past years on Regional Council, said it's important that Council get its comments in on time.

"There's no one here doing anything premature," he said.

He said 500 comments have been made on the topic, which has been discussed for the past four years. There have also been a number of meetings the Region conducted, he said, adding it's a working document.

Ajax Mayor Steve Parish was also concerned with the expansion, especially into the Whitebelt and Carruthers Creek headwaters.

"It really flies in the face of what I thought Pickering was doing for sustainability," he said in an interview, adding it represents the old-style planning of sprawl.

A Pickering resident at the meeting, Peter Rodrigues, said urban sprawl is getting out of hand, and he would have appreciated more opportunity to speak, He found it more than coincidence the plans were being discussed in the summer, when many people are away. He also questioned the reference to the document as a continuing study.

"When things are loose, they're hard to argue," he said.

The staff report can be viewed at www.cityofpickering.com under council agendas.

Add to your favorites Recommend : 0