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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, May 27, 2010 · 10 Council denies development plans for downtown By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Melrose Investments Inc. and Rosehaven Homes Ltd. had one bad night Tuesday when the Town's Planning and Development Council voted to halt or oppose multiple joint projects the developers are trying to get underway. The evening began with council voting to deny an application to change the zoning at the southeast corner of the Randall Street and Trafalgar Road intersection to permit the construction of a six-storey building, which would feature mixed retail, office and residential components. This would include 32 two-bedroom or one bedroom-plus-den residential units. The building would also have 60 parking spaces housed within three levels of underground parking. "Compared to a single-family home design, the building will reduce carbon emissions significantly. The mixture of uses represents smart growth, offering opportunities to live, shop and work in the downtown neighbourhood without ever having to get in a car," said Carlos Antunes, representing Melrose Investments. "We think that this would be of benefit to Oakville." Town staff disagreed stating the Central Business District, where the proposed building site is located, has a height limit of four storeys. There is a five-storey office building in the immediate area, to the east of the site, which was approved through an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing. Town staff also had a problem with the developers' plans to demolish a designated heritage building located on the site at 131 Trafalgar Rd. "Any redevelopment of the subject lands should incorporate the maintenance and protection of this feature," stated Leigh Musson, the senior planner of current planning and design for the Town of Oakville, in a report to council. "The proposal anticipates the demolition of a designated heritage building and does not conform with the applicable current of the Livable Oakville Plan policies or the requirements under the Ontario Heritage Act." Musson went on to state in her report that Oakville's Official Plan compels developers, whenever possible, to incorporate heritage resources into any plan for new development. The Heritage Impact Assessment prepared by the developer suggests the historical value of 131 Trafalgar Rd. is not sufficient to be governed by the Ontario Heritage Act. "So they feel it is not the community's responsibility to help the developer to turn a profit, which is what this application seems to be all about and so I will be very happy to move the staff recommendation to refuse this." Mary Chapin, Ward 3 councillor Town staff also found the proposed development does not have sufficient wastewater servicing capacity as the Navy Street Pumping Station is already overtaxed during heavy rainfall. Area residents criticized the proposed building as being out of character for the area. Oakville resident and Lakeside Residents' Association member David Johnston read a statement he had previously recited when the same developer attempted to bring forward another large development in the same area. "In my opinion, the integrity of the Town of Oakville's four-storey height bylaw is at stake. I believe enforcement of this bylaw has been the key factor in preserving the character of our unique, historic downtown business district," said Johnston. "I can see no compelling reason why the planning department or council should approve this application this evening. What are the benefits to the town? Areas for residential intensification have already been established by the planning department in the new Official Plan -- in the Midtown and Uptown cores -- and also in the new Livable Oakville Plan. Approval of this proposal will only assist the developer in maximizing his profits several times over." Area resident Russ Buckland also spoke against the development and cautioned council not to allow the poor past decision to allow a fivestorey building in the area to result in more inappropriate buildings for downtown Oakville. In the end council found there were too many things about the development that Town staff did not like and voted to deny the zoning change. Ward 3 Councillor Mary Chapin took particular issue with the developer's desire to demolish the heritage building on its site rather than accommodate it in some other way. "A resident wrote in to mention they own property in the historic district and they continually have to compromise when they are going through any kind of renovation and sometimes it costs them more to complete that according to the rules," she said. "So they feel it is not the community's responsibility to help the developer to turn a profit, which is what this application seems to be all about, and so I will be very happy to move the staff recommendation to refuse this." Melrose Investments Inc., and Rosehaven Homes Ltd. took two more hits later in the meeting when council voted to oppose them at the OMB rather than go along with zoning changes proposed for two addiSee Heritage page 15 saturday phajita special dinner for under 10 bucks on a saturday! superfantastic!!! No coupon needed just show up and enjoy our phantastic phajitas here all summer at philthys Our phajitas for one are a perfect size. Choose beef or chicken or vegetarian then pick a sauce topping. Honey chipotle, Teriyaki, BBQ or Jalepeno. Have as many tortillas as you like. $9.99 PHAJITAS We ID to 21 Live music every Friday and Saturday night. 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