Traffic, environment and compatibility among the concerns of Front Road North residents

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“If you don’t know what you’re shooting for, it’s difficult to do the studies,” said Osborne.

Bolger indicated thousands have been spent already on studies to see what can be done on the land, and they would rather do that now. Mayor Michael Prue asked his thoughts about getting the zoning but not the setback requests, but Bolger said “no, we’ve gone too far.”

Bolger added the setbacks that were requested are similar to the Meadowview subdivision, which he also helped develop. Current setbacks in the zoning bylaw are “completely outdated,” he added.

Aspila later stated “our zoning bylaw is ancient,” and that the Official Plan and zoning bylaw reviews administration is aiming to have done would bring them up to date. He added the current policies are not in line with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS).

Prue asked whether the town could approve the zoning and setbacks but voice concerns with other issues such as setbacks, but Aspila believed it would be contradictory to approve something yet have items that don’t have full support. Traffic issues would be something that that could be passed along, he added.

Councillor Don McArthur wondered why it was suggested the zoning and the setbacks be approved at once, noting the situation is “fluid” and setbacks could be changed anyway. He called the property “a big empty gap” that’s not living up to its potential.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb was in favour of granting approvals, as he believed the town had little choice. He noted the province wants 1.5 million homes built over the next ten years.

“If we deny it, we’re going to lose (at the OLT) and it’s going to happen anyway,” he predicted. “The province sets the table and we have to eat the dinner.”

Bolger believed the issue of setbacks was overblown and voiced that to council, prompting an outcry from residents when they weren’t allowed to speak at that point of the meeting.

The debate got spirited after Allaire made a motion to deny the requests, as Prue suggested the motions could be split. Critchley said the council could choose individually between the zoning bylaw and relief from setback requirements. Pouget challenged the chair but council voted to sustain the chair.

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