Details

Key sections of Newmarket’s Secondary Plan, the blueprint that will guide development on the Yonge/Davis corridors for the next few decades, have been re-written at the 11th hour by unelected Regional officials and people from other agencies.

The Plan, over two years in gestation, goes to the Committee of the Whole next Monday for adoption (16 June). It differs markedly from the “revised draft Plan” recently agreed by Councillors.

Opening yesterday’s Council workshop, the Town’s Planning Chief, Rick Nethery, reassures weary councillors “the end is nigh”. Nethery, who always gives me the impression his bank of knowledge is wide but very shallow, tells councillors the Town had consulted outside agencies and that “some adjustments” to building heights had been made. This must be the understatement of the year. Why do I feel Nethery is never quite up to speed on things?

He says York Region Rapid Transit expressed concerns about the Plan “not achieving planned intensification”. Comments from other agencies came in late in the day but this, he says, is “not untoward”.

Maximum Heights to be increased 

Schedule 4 of the Plan shows whole swathes of Yonge and Davis where maximum permitted heights have been changed. So a string of future development sites, previously limited to 8 storeys (or 10 with bonusing), go up to 12 storeys (or 15 with bonusing). Other sites around Mulock and Yonge and around the Slessor site go from medium high density (12 storeys or 15 with bonusing) to high (17 storeys or 20 with bonusing). The lowest density is increased from a maximum of four floors to six with a seventh floor via bonusing.

The senior planner in charge of the Secondary Plan file, Marion Plaunt, tells councillors “we are not increasing densities we have just re-shuffled them”.

We are told the planners are proposing two exceptions to the plan. 39 Davis, owned by Tricap, where planning approval was given in 2009 but the site is still a patch of dirt and the Slessor site, now up for sale, which has “approval in principle” for 21 storeys.

The boundaries of two blocks at Penn Avenue and Walter Avenue are deepened, making them more attractive to developers.

Technical stuff relating to transitional and angular plane policies (preventing high buildings going up next to much lower ones) are to be changed to allow for more “flexibility”.

Polite scepticism

Our councillors, to their credit, express polite scepticism.

(Joe Sponga and Tom Vegh are absent. Jane Twinney is on the "campaign trail")

Tom Hempen, clearly exasperated, says there have been numerous changes to height and density. What happens if we don’t change anything and just submit the Plan to the Region? What would happen?

Nethery tells him the Region is the “approval authority and they could effect modifications to the Plan”.

Regional councillor John Taylor trips up Nethery by suggesting the Province has a role in that its approval powers are, in effect, delegated to the Region. It is the kind of process question Taylor likes. Nethery agrees this is so.

Maddie Di Muccio innocently asks if the Secondary Plan’s proposed building heights were (a) reduced following public consultation and (b) are now increasing again following comments from agencies. Hmmm. Yes, says Marion.

I think that counts as a bullseye.

Putting names to faces

As I am watching Marion go through her Powerpoint presentation, I find myself wondering who these influential (unnamed) people are who can re-write the Town’s Secondary Plan. Of course, it is all done in the name of “the Region” or York Region Rapid Transit or some other Agency giving the changes a spurious authority they don’t necessarily deserve. Other entities representing landowners also make their views known.

Perhaps, next Monday, we can have some photographs inserted into the Powerpoint presentation to allow us to put a face to the change. “Here is Mr Jones behind his desk in the Long Range Planning Department at York Region who changed the building heights on Yonge from medium density to high density. Here is Ms Smith, a consultant from the development industry advising local landowners, who is proposing changes to the bonusing provisions.” You get the idea. 

Now there is a long and complex discussion on transportation and transit and the future of Upper Canada Mall which I fear may have left me behind. Chris Emanuel wants to know about Mobility Hubs and why there isn’t one at Yonge/Davis. (There is one proposed for the Tannery.) John Taylor wants to know if there is any reason why the Town can’t simply press ahead and do a Mobility Hub study anyway.

We are told that Metrolinx believes the “mobility hub principle” should apply to Yonge and Davis. Marion, more Delphic than usual, tells us this is reflected in the text but “there is not going to be a circle on the map”. I am struggling to make sense of all this.

Will the GO bus terminal (which featured so prominently in the Glenway OMB Hearing) be relocated onto the Upper Canada Mall site? We learn that Metrolinx will be involved in a “fulsome analysis”.

 Open Space needed

Now Dave Kerwin moves on to parks and open space. He wants to know where the children are going to play in future, especially as the population grows. He is against the Town taking cash from developers in lieu of green space. Nethery tells him that parkland and open space issues are next in the queue to be addressed by the Town’s planners. In any event, cash in lieu says Nethery can be used to buy open space. (Question: when did that last happen?)

Now Kerwin hits his stride and is talking about the fast food industry and, with employees getting $11 an hour, he is wondering aloud how they can afford to live in Newmarket. He tells us there is not enough affordable housing to sustain the fast food industry.

Meanwhile, the Planners are telling us that the 35% affordable housing target should be scaled back to 25% in the “Regional Healthcare Character Area” on the grounds there are too few people there to make it worthwhile. The 35% target would still apply to the “Provincial Urban Growth Centre (PUGC)” (from Eagle in the south up to Slessor or thereabouts in the north). But Davis Drive and the rest of Yonge outside the PUGC would have a 25% minimum.

Now I am looking at our councillors and their faces tell me there is some unhappiness out there. The Mayor, who enjoys steering the ship but is unconcerned about its destination, decides it is time to jolly up the crew.

The Mayor is now applying his trademark soothing balm, telling councillors - and others watching on the live stream - who may be worried about the way things are going that there will be many, many other occasions to review the Secondary Plan. (Actually, once every five years.) He is, of course, talking the usual Mayoral cobblers. If there are good reasons for changing the Plan, now is the time to do it.

 

Details

It has been a strange election campaign.

The CBC’s Matt Galloway asks the Globe and Mail’s Ontario political correspondent, Adam Radwanski, why voters seem so disengaged. Admittedly, it is difficult to feel enthusiastic about what is on offer.

The Globe and Mail predictably has come out in favour of Hudak’s Progressive Conservatives but in a half-hearted way. The paper wants a minority Conservative Government.

It is no surprise the Toronto Star is backing the Liberals for all their flaws. Andrea Horwath’s NDP is the big loser.

Her “making life affordable campaign” has been truly woeful.

Like many, I figured that when she triggered the election she would have a detailed plan ready to put before us. She has had years to work out attention-grabbing policies on the big issues. Alas, there was nothing there. Just a big black void where policy should be.

In 2007, when Tony Blair was forced out of Downing Street by his long time colleague, Gordon Brown, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, everyone assumed (me included) that Brown had a sophisticated and well thought plan for Britain. After all, he had been manoeuvering behind the scenes for years to get rid of Blair. In fact, there was no plan for Britain. Only a plan to get into Downing Street. Brown proved to be a disastrous PM and only lasted a few years before losing in 2010.

In the same way, judging by the NDP’s timid six page programme, Andrea Horwath has no plan for Ontario.  Just a plan to increase the number of NDP ridings – and even that prospect may be slipping away.  It is no surprise the NDP is trailing so badly.

Many voters, who don’t like what they are hearing from Tim Hudak, will vote tactically to keep the PC out of Government, with the NDP vote haemorrhaging to the Liberals. Whether Liberal inclined voters in NDP ridings will reciprocate is a moot point given the tension between Horwath and Wynne.

Calling someone corrupt crosses a line. The relationship is poisoned forever. Once said, it’s out there. You can’t put it back in the box.

 

Details

A brave attempt to engage young people in the Provincial Election has foundered because of lack of interest.

Youth Worker, Tim Greenwood, commendably organised a “Youth Election Event” tonight at Valley View Alliance Church on Davis Drive but he says it has been cancelled due to low numbers.

As it happens, in today’s Toronto Star, Bob Hepburn says disengagement with politics is now so bad we could see a record low turnout. In 2011, fewer than half eligible voters bothered to cast a ballot.

Hepburn says turnout for voters under 30 could fall below 25%.

Should we be worried?

I’d say.

 

Details

I am told the second Newmarket-Aurora candidates’ debate will be held on Saturday 7 June 2014 from 3pm-5pm at Aurora Town Hall. The event is hosted by the Auroran newspaper.

I hope all the candidates show up. An empty chair tells the voters a candidate is simply not serious.

Elsewhere… we read that tonight’s Leaders Debate (Tuesday 3 June) is more likely to solidify opinion where it now is rather than move it.

If so, this will be bad news for Andrea Horwath who, perhaps with good reason, has received unremittingly hostile press coverage since the election writ dropped.

And, if there were any justice in this world, Tim Hudak would be skewered on his faulty Million Jobs math. 

Curiously, despite all the furious talk of scandals, past and present, nothing seems to be sticking to the Teflon-clad Kathleen Wynne who floats through the campaign, ever smiling. 

9 days to go.

 

Details

It is Friday night and I am comfortably seated in Newmarket Theatre for the much anticipated candidates’ debate. It is terrific entertainment and all free. There is a full house – well, almost.

The format – quick rapid fire questions and short answers – moves things along briskly. And there is a short session giving candidates an opportunity to quiz other candidates. This, for me, is the most illuminating part of the evening.

But first, the candidates introduce themselves, painting little pictures for the rest of us to admire. The youngish Libertarian candidate, Jason Jenkins, draws gasps when he says he has six children. He believes in cutting taxes, dramatically reducing the size of Government and privatizing everything that isn’t nailed down.

Chris Ballard, the Liberal, projects a “steady-as-she-goes” demeanor. He tells us he has been chair of all sorts of committees on Aurora Council while, at the same time, running his own successful business.  The well-rounded Ballard tells us he loves Aurora which, he says, is a great place to bring up a family. Politicians feel obliged to say these things but I groan inside.

Canadians Choice candidate, Archbishop Dorian Baxter is a one-off. He sees Ontario's economic salvation coming via a closer association with the 71 nation strong British Commonwealth – in particular, India - and la francophonie. His views are eccentric but he is good value for money. And his alter ego, Elvis Presley, is always there in the background, ready to take the stage.

a little less conversation, a little more action

When elected, Baxter promises “a little less conversation and a little more action” at Queen’s Park. They’ll be all shook up. He says all this with a booming voice and a beaming smile on his face. He is clearly enjoying himself. When elected, he will give 50% of his MPP salary away to combat poverty.

The Green, Andrew Roblin, is bubbling with ideas and is quite impressive. He has lots of arresting facts at his fingertips and doesn’t need to consult a folder first.

NDP standard-bearer, Angus Duff, is a professor who lives in Aurora. He is sporting a big orange bow tie and projects quiet competence in an academic kind of way. With disarming honesty he admits that if he doesn’t know the answer to a question he will say so rather than make something up (as many politicians would).

Duff generally follows the official NDP line when answering questions, only occasionally ski-ing off-piste.  He jumps on the all-day two-way GO train bandwagon saying the NDP is committed to delivering this. This is news to me, but welcome.

I am Jane Twinney

Jane Twinney, the PC candidate and favourite to succeed Frank Klees, gives the impression she would rather be somewhere else. She seems nervous, often stumbling over her words. Her opening statement is curiously disjointed, telling us half way through her pitch that she is Jane Twinney - as if we didn't know. Jane tells us she has been knocking on doors and people want change.

Now the candidates are being asked about the deficit and how it can be reduced. Jane wants to cut the number of public sector workers by 100,000. She says it can be done through attrition. We are told 5% of the workforce retire every year. There is no mention of forced lay-offs. We are asked to believe it won’t be messy!

A special needs teacher, fired up and concerned, asks Jane from the floor if her teaching assistant is going to face the axe. No says Jane, with unusual confidence. As I am listening to her, I think to myself Jane is making things up as she goes along. I check afterwards and discover that, on this one, she is right.

Dorian Baxter is now asking Jane why she voted for tax increases at Newmarket council when her party is promising tax cuts. Surely this is a question Jane would have anticipated? She mumbles something about doing what is right for her residents. It is a feeble reply.

Rooting out waste - a top NDP priority

Now Angus Duff is telling us the NDP would tackle the deficit by rooting out waste.  This provides the cue for Baxter who gets a laugh when he says the NDP won't have to appoint a Minister for Accountability. When elected, he, Baxter, will fulfill that role.

Now the candidates are talking about how best to create a more favourable climate for business. At a brisk clip, we are on to infrastructure and how we pay for it. Next it is retirement and having the resources to enjoy it. Now energy costs (Jane tells us to expect a 48% increase over the next four years). Now it is the turn of food banks.

Then we are on to bees. Angus Duff engagingly confesses complete ignorance of the subject and offers no answer. The Green, Andrew Roblin, is in his element telling us that bees are responsible for 30% of all pollination. Without the bees, our food crops are threatened. Now we move on to something else.

There is hardly time to pause for breath before we are on to the next topic. The format kills any chance of testing candidates’ views to destruction. And it wouldn’t take much.

Million Jobs Plan

Jane Twinney is asked from the floor about Tim Hudak’s Million Jobs Plan and how the figures don’t add up. Jane, completely missing the point of the question, tells us that even if we get 800,000 new jobs that would be good. That is as much as we are going to get, like it or lump it. We move on.

The meeting flares into life when candidates are asked a question about the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) and whether it should be reformed.

Angus tells us elliptically that development should be “aligned with the interests of the community”.  Jane says the problem is not with the OMB but with the legislation, presumably meaning the Places to Grow Act.

Klees is incandescent - or would like us to think so

Chris Ballard says something about Glenway that infuriates Frank Klees who is sitting a few feet away from me. The perma-tanned Klees, dressed in tight jeans and pointy shoes, takes to the microphone to denounce Ballard who, he claims, attacked his integrity by suggesting he didn’t work hard enough to get his “Preserving Existing Communities” private members' bill on to the Statute Book. Klees affects outrage well. He is quite the actor.

Of course, Klees has dined out on his private members' bill for ages. But there is more to “supporting Glenway” than a private members' bill that stood zero chance of becoming law. I never saw Klees nor heard a peep from him throughout the whole, long Glenway saga. And I followed it closely.

Ballard doesn’t buckle, refusing to retract whatever it was he said that so upset Klees. Ballard gets Brownie points for this.

All in all, an entertaining evening and I am sure the audience enjoyed it as much as I did. The candidates now have the measure of each other and, in any return match, we can expect a bit more cut and thrust.

Without question, we need another debate in Aurora but will we get one?

 

  • You are here:  
  • Home