Former Saginaw Golf Course redevelopment plan goes to the OMB

CambridgeTimes.ca
March 21, 2017
Ray Martin

A controversial proposed east-Galt development is headed to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Vaughan-based developer Nideva Properties Inc. wants to redevelop the former Saginaw Golf Course, which sits in the middle of the Clemens Mill subdivision off Saginaw Parkway. Now it is going to the OMB in an effort to get what it wants.

"We are going to have to take the next few weeks to decide what we do next," said city planning director Elaine Brunn Shaw of the recently filed OMB appeal.

As presented in February 2016, the proposal included the development of 264 single-family homes, 95 townhomes and a 100-unit, six-storey apartment building. Following talks with city officials and area residents, Nideva Properties representatives were back in front of council in May 2016 announcing “significant and important changes to the plan.”

Developer plans 460 homes for former Saginaw Golf Course
Those changes included, among other things, decreasing the total number of units, lot widths, grading, building heights and buffer zones. Last November, new plans were submitted to the city, but were still being reviewed by staff when notice was given the developer was appealing to the OMB for a decision in the matter.

Cambridge council opted to defer a proposed zone change and an official plan amendment in February 2016. At the same time, a liaison committee was struck to address the concerns of neighbourhood residents.

“We’re engaged in a meaningful process of dialogue,” said Paul Britton, the developer’s planner, at council last May.

Area residents raised concerns about the impact on traffic, drainage, privacy for existing residents, and the protection of the neighbourhood’s wildlife.

Another liaison committee meeting had been anticipated until last week, when city officials told residents in an email: “The city and region have received appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board by the developer for the requested applications for the former Saginaw Golf Course. The appeals cite that the decision on the applications has not been made in the timelines under the Planning Act as the reason for the appeals.”

Coun. Nicholas Ermeta represents the east-Galt neighbourhood and is upset by news.

“I'm frustrated and disappointed over the actions the developer has taken at this time,” Ermeta said in an email to the Times. “I was expecting to hear back from them for a time to host another public meeting (in which they agreed to do to update the residents on the proposed changes) and instead received news they have filed an appeal at the Ontario Municipal Board.

Ermeta said he will continue to fight for his constituents and wants to see the matter resolved.

“I will not be intimidated by an impending Ontario Municipal Board hearing and will continue to converse with neighbourhood residents on what the future of Saginaw Golf Course should look like,” he said.