Site-specific modification to Vaughan OP allowed

NRU
March 30, 2016

In a March 9 decision, board member Chris Conti allowed an appeal in part by Dufferin Vistas against the City of Vaughan’s adoption of its 2010 official plan. This site specific appeal related to the property at 230 Grand Trunk Avenue, where Dufferin Vistas proposed to modify the land use designations (schedule 13) of the official plan by adding additional designations.

Prior to the hearing a settlement was reached between Dufferin Vistas and the city and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. The settlement modifies schedule 13 of the official plan and redesignates the property from natural areas to low-density residential and natural areas. As part of the settlement, the western part of the property is identified as low-rise residential, the central portion as low-rise residential special study area and the eastern portion as natural area. The modifications require that the low-rise residential special area can only be developed if studies demonstrate that natural heritage features and functions will be protected.

Planner Paul Lowes (SGL Planning and Design) provided evidence on behalf of Dufferin Vistas and in support of the settlement. He testified the modifications to the official plan are consistent with the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and Provincial Policy Statement and comply with the Growth Plan and the York Region official plan.

Ecologist Tom Hilditch (Savanta) also provided evidence on behalf of Dufferin Vistas and in support of the settlement. He testified the significant natural heritage features are confined to the easterly portion of the property, which will be protected under the natural areas designation. He stated that future low-density residential development on the westerly part of the property would not adversely affect these natural elements.

Peter Badali, on behalf of the Eagle Hills Community Association, attended the hearing in support of the settlement, testifying the association’s traffic concerns will be alleviated by the future extension of Grand Trunk Avenue through the property.

Neighbours Michael Smirnov, Sergei Lifchits, Codruta Papoi and Nick Shepolov attended the hearing in opposition to the settlement. They requested the board to uphold the natural areas designation in the offi cial plan over the entire property.

The board agreed with the evidence given by Lowes and Hilditch and allowed the appeal, in part. Solicitors involved in this decision were David Bronskill (Goodmans) representing Dufferin Vistas Ltd., city solicitor Dawne Jubb representing the City of Vaughan and Jonathan Wigley (Gardner Roberts) representing the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.