Vol. 10 No. 23
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Uxbridge King St. parkette stays DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
MARCHING FOR THE TROOPS: Members of the Uxbridge Legion Pipes and Drums Band march down Brock St. West in Uxbridge on Saturday, May 31, during the Uxbridge Thanks Our Troops parade. Musicians, motorcyclists, police officers, Scouts and residents of all ages turned out to show their support for BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard Canadian Forces personnel - ending with a patriotic bash in Elgin Park.
Scugog opens door to housing BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard
SCUGOG: Sections of Port Perry’s urban area are being eyed as potential targets for intensification and increased living-density, according to the Township’s Secondary Plan draft, released on May 26. Due to the increased sewage and service capacity brought by the scheduled expansion of the Nonquon Treatment Plant as many as 850 to 1,000 new housing units (living space for one family) could be in the cards for Scugog. Scugog’s Director of Community Services, Don Gordon, explained to The Standard that the primary intensification zones lay mostly along Simcoe St. intersections - Including (but not limited to) Reach St., Hwy 7A, King St. on both sides of Simcoe St., and some subdivision development in the Prince Albert area. “We know there is pressure coming on developing Port
Perry, with the Hwy. 407 extension and added sewage capacity,” said Mr. Gordon. “We’re trying to stay ahead of the curve, and protect our historical character - new developments will need to be attractive, functional, and in keeping with our township.” The current plan places a maximum of 30 housing units per hectare (UPH) – Jim Dyment, the Township’s planning consultant, explained that this allows for little growth in Port Perry’s downtown, and that the new plan will likely tighten the maximum up to 50 UPH. “We would like to zone about 600 low density units, like single-detached homes – and about 128 each of high and medium density units,” said Mr. Dyment in his report to Council. “If trends continue and family and housing sizes become smaller and smaller, we could be looking at wellover 1,000 units in the future.”
UXBRIDGE: Local residents rejoiced on Monday, June 2, as councillors voted to keep the King St. parkette intact following a strong grassroots initiative. In October of last year, the township began exploring options to possibly re-zone the King St. parkette, and turn the parcel of land into a residential lot. However, following vocal opposition to the plan from area residents at a public meeting in February, councillors unanimously endorsed a recommendation from township planning consultant Liz Howson to refuse the proposed zoning by-law amendment. However, improvements to the park may have to wait until next year, due to playground equipment budget constraints following the recent decision to install an accessible playground at Elgin Park, which ate up much of the township’s 2014 playground equipment budget. “Is there any money left for playground equipment in 2014?” asked local resident Brock Clark, who was one of many who opposed the proposed sale of the park. “I don’t believe there is any money left for playground equipment in 2014,” replied Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor. “It’ll be included in next year’s playground equipment budget.” Township Parks and Facilities Manager Bob Ferguson added that the municipality will take the age of local children into account before deciding on any potential improvements to the park next year. “We will take into consideration the age of children in the area. After all, playground equipment is very age specific,” commented Mr. Ferguson. Jerry Oldham, another local resident who had been actively involved with efforts to save the park, noted that members of the community have been donating their time to maintain the park, in an effort to promote cooperation with township parks staff. “I’m very happy with what’s been going on, and think we can work well with the parks department,” added Ms. Oldham. The park was originally developed by the Uxbridge Optimists Club in 1970, and has served several generations of Uxbridge children over the past 44 years.
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