4 • Thursday, December 5, 2013
The Standard
Project to require 2,400 loads of fill F RO M PAG E 1
“It would be a big move for us to allow this sort of operation,” commented Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor. “But, the big difference is that you didn’t buy a piece of land to fill, you already have a multi-million dollar business that you are looking to improve.” Later, Dagmar representatives explained that the project would be completed in three phases, and are hopeful that work can begin as early as next summer. Under the guidelines of their plan, 2,400 trucks of fill would be brought onto the site over the next three years via Uxbridge/ Pickering Townline Rd. and Lakeridge Rd. Ward 5 Councillor Gord Highet emphasized
the need for a traffic plan before the project can move ahead at the municipal level. “We need to have a traffic plan in place for this project before work begins,” said Councillor Highet. “We’re getting flack from other municipalities because trucks are moving through our municipality so they can build an aerodrome - if that ever comes to pass remains to be seen. The difference is that you are building infrastructure, not just filling a hole or dumping on a field.” The next stage of the project will be meetings between Dagmar officials, the township’s Fill Committee as well as township staff in the near future to further clarify details of the plan.
Congratulations Lisa Mantifel on your new business.
119 Perry Street Unit 1, Port Perry
Best Wishes from the Mantifel’s and the Lee’s 90th Birthday Open House The family of Catherine (Tina) Vanderby is hosting an Open House in honour of her 90th birthday! Family and friends are cordially invited to join this celebration on
Sunday, December 8, 2013 2pm – 4pm Latcham Centre 121 Queen Street, Port Perry Best wishes only, please
If you see this Country Crooner on December 9th , be sure to wish him a
Happy 60th Birthday! With love from your biggest fans – Nichole, Sarah, Sam, & Margareta Turning Points Deadline Monday at noon.
SEEING STARS AT THE SANTA CLAUS PARADE: These Uxbridge Stars players were among the many participants in last weekend’s Uxbridge Santa Claus Parade, which wound through the downtown and ushered in the holiday season in Uxbridge. For more photos from the parade, see Page 16. BENJAMIN PRIEBE The Standard
Polar Plunge returning to Elgin Pond DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
UXBRIDGE: It’s shaping up to be a chilly New Year’s Day for some brave local residents with the return of the Elgin Pond Polar Plunge. Local residents Todd Williamson and Brad Ballinger made a presentation on behalf of the local chapter of the United Way to council at their meeting on the morning of Monday, Dec. 2, to outline the plan for the sec-
ond annual event, which will once again take place on Jan. 1. According to Mr. Williamson, last year’s inaugural Polar Plunge in Uxbridge raised $8,500 for several local charities, and organizers are hoping for an even greater responce from the community this winter. The festivities will take place between 10 a.m. and noon, with the Plunge taking place at approximately 11 a.m. Main St. will be closed between Mill St.
and Bell St. throughout the two-hour event. After taking the plunge, participants will be whisked away to Uxpool to change into drier clothes, and then to the Uxbridge Legion for a hot breakfast. Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor congratulated the pair for their commitment to this event, and the community. “That’s $8,500 that people in our municipality wouldn’t have without this great event,” Mayor
O’Connor said. “But, I guarantee you that I won’t be taking part in this.” However, Regional Councillor Jack Ballinger once again plans to participate in the event again this year, and even remarked that he had saved his costume from last year. Those interested in taking the plunge in support of local charities this New Year’s Day can sign up at either Williamson GM or Williamson Chrysler on Toronto St. South.
Foxtrail development meeting draws crowd DARRYL KNIGHT The Standard
UXBRIDGE: Residents turned out in droves on Nov. 25 to once again voice their concerns over the Foxtrail development in Uxbridge’s east end. The purpose of the public meeting, held by the township as part of their ongoing review process into the development, specifically dealing with the development’s site plan application and plan of condominium application. Nearby residents once again packed council chambers for the occasion, as has been the case since the project was first announced in 2008, and many familiar complaints were levied against the proposed 46-unit condominium/ townhouse development, which was severed from Foxbridge Golf Course earlier this year, and purchased by Brookfield Homes. Chief amongst the complaints from nearby residents of the Coral Creek/Estates of Avonlea development is that when purchasing their homes, some paid a premium in order to acquire lots backing onto greenspace. One resident present at the meeting claimed to have paid an extra $25,000 for a lot backing onto the proposed development. Additionally, another resident
hatched the idea to have those who purchase new homes backing onto greenspace should have premiums collected by the developer put into a fund that would reimburse residents whose view will be affected by the new development. The resident did not provide any details of expanding the plan to include homes that were adversely affected by the Coral Creek development approximately 10 years ago. The idea received little support, and it was argued that the resident’s issue lies with Fabio Furlan, developer of Coral Creek, not with the current project. “It isn’t Brookfield that’s to blames here, Furlan charged you that premium,” responded Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor. Ward 4 Councillor Jacob Mantle also spoke out against the practice of charging premiums for lots, which carry no guarantee that the views will remain untouched by further development. “It’s a bit of an injustice that people are paying premiums, and then a few years later, they’re gone and new people are paying premiums all over again,” commented Councillor Mantle. Another main point of contention from residents was the use of an entrance off Brock St. for con-
struction of the development. A representative from Brookfield clarified that, when completed, the main entrance for the site would run off Nelkydd Ln., and the Brock St. entrance would be used only as an emergency access point. “A traffic access for normal traffic off Brock St. was turned down,” clarified township planner Liz Howson. “There were concerns about construction traffic coming through the neighbourhood, and when zoning was done it was always understood that construction traffic would be coming off Brock St.” Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor added, “I personally don’t think you’d want to see construction traffic coming down Nelkydd,” a statement the resident strongly disagreed with. As well, residents from far beyond the development came out to voice opposition to the site, including a Bloomington Rd. man who argued that the township “only follows the Planning Act when it’s convenient to do so, and you can’t do what you’ve done without an official plan amendment.” Earlier in the meeting it was explained that this meeting was just the latest step in the process for the development, after its official plan amendment and zoning plan were both passed in January 2012.