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Planning
Paul
Lewkowicz
Updated Nov 2011
PLANNING REPORT
29 Meadowvale Rd. (French
Catholic School Update)
On November 2, the French
Catholic School Board submitted a revised drawing of the proposed school’s
roof that complies with the City’s green roof bylaw.
On November 22, a Notice of
Approval Conditions (NOAC) was issued by city planning staff to the school
board. This allows the school board to obtain permits to build the
foundation for the building.
The school board has up to
two years from the issuance of the NOAC to meet a set of conditions
(related to securities, technical services, engineering inspections, and
registration of a site plan agreement). These NOAC conditions must be met
before the school board will be able to obtain building permits to build
above-ground.
The CCRA continues to
closely monitor the application and assist where needed. We are happy to
see that community concerns have been addressed in the site application.
Please contact Paul
Lewkowicz if you have any questions or concerns.
Highland Creek Village Area
Study
Some residents may have read
an article regarding the
Highland Creek Village Area Study that was recently published in the
Scarborough Mirror.
Prior to this article being
published, the CCRA was monitoring this study. In response to concerns
from a resident, the CCRA contacted Councillor Moeser’s office and the
City Planner responsible for the project to learn more about the study and
its timelines.
The Planner responsible for
the study stated that an idea that has raised a lot of concern –
connecting Colonel Danforth Trail with Military Trail - was simply an idea
proposed by one of the study working group members (made up of the
Highland Creek Community Association, residents, planners, staff, experts
etc.). As all ideas are recorded, the idea was included in study meeting
notes. It was noted that the idea is premature and poses several
challenges, particularly related to logistics.
The Highland Creek Village
Area Study has been going on for nearly a year and will report to
Community Council and City Council in early 2012 (likely in March or
April). I have been advised that the report back date of February 2012
published in the Scarborough Mirror is unlikely. Before then, however,
consultations and public meetings will be held, likely in late January or
February.
Although this Study takes
place outside of Centennial Scarborough, it is important for the CCRA to
be involved and monitor the study’s progress. The CCRA asked about
participating in the Study’s working group, but was told that the group is
nearing the end of its work and therefore it may not be useful to attend
(although we are welcome). The CCRA was added to the study mailing list
so that we will receive updates and be invited to future consultations and
public meetings to be able to provide feedback on potential impacts to our
community.
The CCRA recognizes that
some residents have concerns (rightfully so) about the impacts of the
Highland Creek Village Study, particularly related to proposals regarding
connecting roads (namely Military Trail and Colonel Danforth Trail) and
new developments. However, some of these proposals are premature and all
will undergo future community consultation. The CCRA will continue to
monitor this study and be involved when concrete recommendations and
proposals are put forward. Updates will be provided as they are made
available.
In the meantime, the CCRA
encourages all residents to visit the
Highland Creek Village Area Study website.
Updated Oct 2011
29 Meadowvale Rd. (French
Catholic School Update)
Meeting with School Board
Officials and City Planner
On September 1, CCRA representatives
met with French Catholic School Board (Le
Conseil scolaire de district catholique
Centre-Sud)
officials, the architect for the site, and the City of Toronto planner
overseeing the 29 Meadowvale site plan application.
The final site plan application
approved by city staff is fairly similar to the original application
submitted in October 2010. Significant changes to the original site plan
application (other than largely technical amendments) include:
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The school playground will be smaller to protect
trees at the back of the property
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Responding to community concerns, lighting will face
downwards towards the school and will feature timers. Lights will be
kept on in certain locations to prevent vandalism.
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Approximately 37 trees will be cut, but some are in
poor condition and will be replaced. For every tree that is cut, the
school board will plant three new trees. The school board has also
retained an arborist to assess the site. Funds will also be provided to
plant trees in other areas in the community.
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Efforts continue to be made to follow through with
plans to reduce the flow of water and not add any additional water to
the site.
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It was reiterated that traffic disruptions would be
minimal as buses would drop off and pick up students on school board
property and not on Meadowvale Road. The community would also have
after-hours (though not overnight) access to the playground and parking
lot (except for when a school function is taking place).
Discussions also took place on the
structure and height of the building, fencing around the property, and the
School Board’s request for complete exemption from the City of Toronto’s
green roof bylaw.
Updates Since The September 1
Meeting
Following the September 1 meeting, a
number of key decision points occurred:
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On September 12, Scarborough Community Council
(approving a motion by Councillor Moeser) refused
the French Catholic School Board’s request for complete exemption of the
City of Toronto’s green roof requirement. On September 21, City Council
adopted this item with out amendments or debate. The rationale for the
school board’s request for an exemption was that planned solar roof
panels would not leave enough space for a green roof to have any
significant environmental value.
Next Steps
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As a result of City Council’s decision, the French
Catholic School Board will submit a revised drawing of the proposed
school’s roof such that their application complies with the City’s green
roof bylaw (a 322 square meters green roof is required). This drawing
was expected to be submitted by late October.
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The school board has up to two years from the
issuance of the NOAC to meet a set of conditions (related to securities,
technical services, engineering inspections, and registration of a site
plan agreement). These NOAC conditions must be met before the school
board will be able to obtain building permits to build above-ground.
The CCRA continues to closely
monitor the application and assist where needed. We are happy to see that
community concerns have been addressed in the site application.
Please contact Paul Lewkowicz if you
have any questions or concerns.
Updated Sept 2011
29 Meadowvale Rd. (French
Catholic School Update)
On July 13, the French Catholic
School Board (Le Conseil
scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud)
submitted a revised application to the City of Toronto for its proposal to
build an elementary school at 29 Meadowvale Road. Comments from city
divisions and departments were due by August 11.
Commenting city divisions expressed
satisfaction with the revised site plan application. We were advised that
feedback from the June 24 public consultation (held by the CCRA with
French Catholic School Board officials) informed the revised site plan
application.
Both the City Planner responsible
for the file and School Board officials agreed to the CCRA’s request to
set up a meeting to review and provide feedback on the final site plan
application. Prior to this newsletter being published, the CCRA was in
the process of setting up this meeting. On August 19, a letter was sent to
our local City Councillor letting him know that site plan approval is
pending. The Councillor has 10 days from the date of the letter to bring
the matter to Scarborough Community Council should he have any concerns.
Otherwise, the Councillor can waive approval.
Upon approval from the Councillor
and following the CCRA’s meeting with the City Planner and School Board
officials, a Notice of Approval Conditions (NOAC) will be issued by city
staff to the site applicant. This allows the applicant to begin to obtain
permits to build the foundation for the building. The applicant then has
up to two years from the issuance of the NOAC to meet a set of conditions
(related to securities, technical services, engineering inspections, and
registration of a site plan agreement). The applicant must meet these NOAC
conditions before being able to obtain building permits to build
above-ground.
Further details and updates will be
published in the newsletter as soon as they are available.
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