How they voted: NVCA board okays home in high-risk location

AWARE Simcoe September 3 2013
The following is the text of and voting record for two motions whereby the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority board of directors voted down a staff recommendation to refuse an application for construction of a home in a floodplain, and then approved the application.

Hearing motion #4 Moved by Walter Benotto, seconded by Bob Marrs
WHEREAS: Larry Smilsky has applied for permission under the Conservation Authorities Act to permit the construction of a single family dwelling, at Lot 21, Concession 12, municipally known at 4835 13th Line, Town of New Tecumseth, County of Simcoe; and
WHEREAS: NVCA staff have reviewed the submission and are unable to support this application; therefore
BE IT RESOLVED: that the application be refused for the following reasons:
–    The proposed development location is within the floodway and does not comply with NVCA’s Planning and Regulation guidelines (2009) approved by the Board of Directors in August 2009.
–    The proposal is contrary to Natural Hazard policies of the Provincial Policy Statement (2005) and the Association Technical Guide – River and Stream Systems: Flooding Hazard Limit (2002). These documents stated that development and site alteration shall not be permitted within a floodway.
–    The proposed development faces a high risk to life and high potential for property damage, due to flood depths (approximately 2.4m).
–    There is no safe access and egress, on the property or the municipal road, for emergency services.
–    This development will have a cumulative impact on the control of flooding due to the filling in of a floodplain.
Defeated by a recorded vote 10 yes, 11 no
Gail Ardiel, The Town of the Blue Mountains     yes
Walter Benotto, Town of Shelburne                 yes
Nina Bifolchi (chair), Town of Wasaga Beach    no
Mary Brett, Township of Adjala-Tosorontio       conflict
Mel Coutanche, Township of Oro-Medonte        –      
Dan Davidson, Town of Innisfil                        yes
Mike Edwards, Town of Collingwood                 no
Earl Hawkins, Township of Mulmur                    –
Donna Jebb, Town of New Tecumseth               no
Arif Khan, City of Barrie                                   no
Rob Keffer, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury  no
Kevin Lloyd, Town of Collingwood                      no
Bob Marrs, Town of New Tecumseth                  yes
Marty Lancaster, Township of Oro-Medonte        no
Paul McQueen, Municipality of Grey Highlands    no
Fred Nix, Town of Mono                                    yes
Brent Preston, Township of Clearview                yes
Perry Ritchie, Township of Springwater              no
Alicia Savage, Township of Clearview                 no
Michael Smith, Township of Essa                       yes
Percy Way, Township of Amaranth                    yes
George Watson, Town of Wasaga Beach            left meetig
Rick Webster, Township of Springwater             no
Darren White, Township of Melancthon              yes
Keith White, Township of Essa                          yes

Hearing motion #5 Moved by Alicia Savage, seconded by Kevin Lloyd
BE IT RESOLVED that the Smilksy application be approved subject to a detailed site plan and permit application being submitted to the satisfaction of the NVCA.
Carried by a recorded vote of 12 yes, 8 no
Gail Ardiel, The Town of the Blue Mountains     yes
Walter Benotto, Town of Shelburne                 left meeting
Nina Bifolchi (chair), Town of Wasaga Beach    yes
Mary Brett, Township of Adjala-Tosorontio       conflict
Mel Coutanche, Township of Oro-Medonte        absent
Dan Davidson, Town of Innisfil                        no
Mike Edwards, Town of Collingwood                 yes
Earl Hawkins, Township of Mulmur                   absent
Donna Jebb, Town of New Tecumseth               yes
Arif Khan, City of Barrie                                   yes
Rob Keffer, Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury yes
Kevin Lloyd, Town of Collingwood                     yes
Bob Marrs, Town of New Tecumseth                  no
Marty Lancaster, Township of Oro-Medonte       yes
Paul McQueen, Municipality of Grey Highlands    yes
Fred Nix, Town of Mono                                    no
Brent Preston, Township of Clearview                no
Perry Ritchie, Township of Springwater              yes
Alicia Savage, Township of Clearview                 yes
Michael Smith, Township of Essa                       no
Percy Way, Township of Amaranth                     no
George Watson, Town of Wasaga Beach             left meeting
Rick Webster, Township of Springwater              yes
Darren White, Township of Melancthon              no
Keith White, Township of Essa                          no

See also NVCA Board opens floodplain to development.)