Highland Green residents look to Aurora to fight Highland Gate development

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 11, 2016
By Teresa Latchford

Highland Green Condominium residents are looking to the town and Highland Gate Rate Payers Association to fight the proposed development on the former Highland Gate golf course.

On Sept. 19, the town will be participating in the second pre-hearing session before the Ontario Municipal Board, a session that was prompted when Highland Gate Developments Inc. turned to the OMB because the town has yet to make a decision on the proposal that would see 184 homes and a 10-storey condo built on the property.

At the first hearing there were a number of parties against the development, but the Highland Green Condo board showed its support for the developer. However, not all of the condo residents agree with the endorsement, leaving them no choice but to put their faith in the town and the ratepayers group.

Jim and Gail MacDonald, who have lived in the condo for years, understand there is little chance of avoiding all of the proposed development, but they are specifically concerned with the proposed condo to be located about 200 metres from their own.

“We are looking to the town to fight this very strongly,” Jim said, standing on his balcony with a stunning view of the tree canopy below. “The number of trees that will be removed isn’t worth anything the condo could receive in return.”

The condo board held a special meeting with residents proposing it endorse the development application. If the proposal was approved in full, the board would receive amenities such as an extension to the existing parking lot, fireplace, barbecue, landscaping, fencing and lighting, all paid for by the developer.

The residents voted 94 to 23 to support the developer at the OMB sessions.

“The board has been a very good board and they were well within their right to call this meeting,” Jim said. “But for the 23 who don’t agree, we have to turn to others to be our voice.”

It isn’t just the tree loss, but some of the logistics that don’t make sense to Jim. There are currently seven entrances from Yonge Street to the condo entrance a short distance away and another condo building will just add to the already congested traffic. Also, the height of the condo, even if it was dropped to seven storeys will still be taller than the surrounding condos because of the proposed height of each storey.

“The number of variances that will be needed to allow the proposed condo proves that the building doesn’t fit in the town’s official plan,” he added.

Barbara Houlding, also a resident of Highland Greens, has witnessed 80 years of development swallowing greenspace in the town she calls home. Not only is she concerned for the loss of a variety of wildlife, but she also questions how construction will impact the quality of life not only for herself but also the neighbouring Sunrise residence across the street.

“It would make sense that the proposed development will take years to complete,” she wrote in a letter to the mayor and councillors. “To have no knowledge or established timeline of when construction will start and how long we will have to endure the construction mess, dust and noise is unsettling to say the least.”

The OMB has rescheduled the upcoming pre-hearing conference from Aug. 22 and 23 to Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at Aurora Town Hall.

For more information on the proposed development or updates, visit aurora.ca.