Two developers threaten OMB action should region approve Brooklin plan Two development firms announced last week that they will ap- peal any Durham Regional Council decision allowing the development of Brooklin to the Ontario Municipal Board. In a letter to council, legal counsel for RDF Company Ltd., which plans to develop other parts of Whitby, said that the Brooklin expan- sion proposal will "sim- ply replace develop- ment elsewhere in the region." The letter calls for the project to be rejected and that "efficient use of public funds dictates that every possible ef- fort should be made to provide for growth....proceed- ing from the built-up areas." It adds, "leapfrogging of development makes no sense at all...." Durham's planning department staff have also said that the growth of Brooklin will simply By MICHAEL KNELL Free Press Staff They kicked it around but the 30 members of Durham Regional Council did not make any decisions concerning the fate of the Brooklin development proposal. Last Thursday, Regional Chairman Gary Herrema called a special meeting of "council-in- the-committee-of-the-whole" to debate the scheme of First City Developments Ltd. First City and its subsidiary, Consolidated Building Corporation, have proposed to turn the hamlet into a town of 10,500 over a ten year period through the construction of some 2,700 single family homes. Councillors debated the reports of the com- missioners of planning, finance and public works for some five hours in front of a gallery full of Brooklin residents and officials from First City. The reports that were being considered were somewhat contradictory as the planning depar- tment came out against the proposal with finance and public works officials favoring it. However, all three departments recognized the development of Brooklin as premature. Because of the conflicting points of view before them, one councillor was lead to state that the decision council finally makes will not be based on souind planning principles. Regional Councillor Ed Kolodzie (Oshawa) told council that "it's all political" and the decision will have "nothing to do with the (planning) report." "It's not a good project to support," Kolodzie said, "it'il be a political decision." However, a good number of councillors expressed their concern for the need for more development ac- tivity in the region. This view was strongly expressed by Regional Councillor Laurie Cahill (Pickering) who said that it was time for the region to start seeking out new development opportunities. Cahill said that Durham is not experiencing the development that it should be and indicated that council is not really in the position to turn down what could be an excellent proposal. He was critical of the planning department's report and accused it of not recognizing the scope of First City's offer. "Now we've got a developer who is willing to put his money where his mouth is and you're still saying no," Cahill told planning commissioner Dr. Mofeed Michael. First City has offered to pay the entire cost of ex- tending trunk water supply and sewer services to Brooklin and to further extend the service to the lot lines of existing homes and businesses in the hamlet. The estimated cost for this project is $8 million. The main bone of contention seems to be whether or not Brooklin is in need of trunk water supply and sewer services. Regional Councillor Don Hadden (Brock), chair- man of the planning committee, told council that he ha seen no evidence to "establish the necessity of servicing Brooklin." Hadden's position seems to be supported by the Durham Regional Health Unit which said that the hamlet has not experienced an "epidemic of water- borne disease over a period of many years." The health unit's position was made clear in 1978 when Dr. Ted Watts told the region that "It is my opinion, however, that this situation does not represent a hazard to the health of the citizens of Brooklin to any extent whereby immediate exten- sion of sanitary sewers is needed to the exclusion of all other considerations involved." However, Public Works Commissioner Bill Twelvetrees told council that Brooklin was the only community in the region that is serviced by just one well for water. He added that when the pump breaks down, the entire village is without water. There is also not much chance of finding a suitable location for a second well. However, Twelvetrees admiîtted that it is more difficult to justify the need for sewers since hard data is hard to obtain. "This is not to say that we would not have to put sewers in Brooklin in the near future," he said. "I would estimate that the sewers would be needed within a 10 year period." As it stands now, councillors will have to decide before the end of June whether the project will be a $5.6 million liability to the region (as the planning people say) or a $2.6 million asset (as the finance and public works people say). Regional Chairman Gary Herrema said that the project should be given the go-ahead because First City is willing to pay the costs of extending the ser- vices. Whitby lady kits jackpot Orie fortunate Whitby resident is $100,000 richer thanks to the Ontario Lottery Corporation. Marie O'Connor, 56, of Centre Street North won her prize in a recent Wintario draw. O'Connor is a sales clerk at the Whitby K-Mart outlet and is the mother of six children and has six grandchildren. A spokesman for the lottery said that she plans to buy a car and a summer cottage with her winnings. DR. VINCENT LO IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE OPENING OF HIS OFFICE FOR THE PRACTICE OF GENERAL DENTISTRY AT 185 THICKSON ROAD NORTH WHITBY, ONTARIO LIN 6T9 BY APPOINTMENT PHONE 579-5551 BRIAN DEEGAN DENTURE THERAPY CLINIC HARWOOD AVENUE SOUTH AJAX, ONTARIO 683-6074 MERCANTILE DEPT. STORE 321 BROCK ST. S. 668-3468 BRAND NAME FAMILY CLOTHING AT REASONABLE PRICES. DISTINCTIVE MENS WEAR. SIZES UP TO XXXL. SYD SILVER FORMAL RENTALS. FASHIONABLE LADIES WEAR. SIZES 5'-"20. BOYS AND GIRLS FROM SIZE 8 UP. WEEKEND SPECIAL! FREE SHIRT, TIE & GARMENT BAG with cash purchase of man's suit at reg. price. WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1981, PAGE 3 TYPEWR ITERS ADDING MACHINES • CALCULATORS SALES * SERVICE * RENTALS replace growth in other parts of the region. Attorneys for a Port Perry developer, Ribcor Holdings Inc. also said that they will object to any approval of Brooklin to the OMB. Their letter states that Brooklin growth will negate growth already planning in Port Perry. "Clearly, this would severely and directly impact our client's in- terests, thereby forcing it to pursue its objection to the Ontario Municipal Board if necessary," the letter states. An Oshawa regional councillor and a mem- ber of that city's Public Utilities Commission have also announced that they will appeal any approved plans to the OMB on the grounds that the development will create a burden on regional taxpayers. However, officials from the region's finan- ce and public works department have claimed that the development will be a $2.6 million boost for Durham. 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