Development application, ‘essentially implementing the Town’s vision’

The proponent of a 99 acre industrial/commercial subdivision proposal reminded New Tecumseth councillors last night that when the Alliston Industrial Commercial Secondary Plan was approved (2005) the realignment of Tottenham Road (County Road 10) was still on a long term planning horizon, whose path would cut right through the middle of the planning area.

That all changed in 2006-07 when Simcoe County and Honda of Canada Manufacturing partnered to permanently seal off a section of Tottenham Road, fast-tracking the realignment of Cty Rd 10 in a different configuration, to accommodate the automaker’s engine plant construction.

Walter Hugo, representing New Tecumseth Land Corporation (Villarboit) whose application for a proposed draft plan of subdivision and zoning bylaw amendment at 6437 and 6485 14th Line was the subject of a public meeting last night, said because the realigned road no longer cut through their property, they had to redo their design, and are now preparing their third submission as part of the approvals process.

Three commercial lots are proposed to front on the 14th Line, and 12 industrial parcels ringing the rest of the property. The application seeks a “generous” increase in the number of uses permitted through zoning changes.

“We are essentially implementing the Town’s vision for this property and this area. We are not changing it, we are just implementing the land uses as per the Town’s secondary plan,” said Mr. Hugo. “We are trying to insure that future tenants, commercial and industrial tenants, are facilitated in advancing their projects. We don’t want to revisit the zoning issue over and over again, so we’re seeking a generous list of uses, but the list is not finalized, subject to public and council input.”

Council recently approved a similar type request for Honda, which asked for blanket OP and zoning bylaw amendments related to immediate and long term plans for its 247 acre “front yard.”

Three neighbours of the subject site expressed concerns last night about the plan’s lack of details as regarding end users that could locate there, traffic, noise, environmental, and impacts on their property values.

Domenic Galati, said, “this is my backyard. I live there. “I don’t want to see the buildings. Mr. Galati told Free Press Online after the meeting that “I tend to oppose this right to the end.”