Bid to defer Ashborough Village approval rejected

Opponents of plan for land near Lift Lock speak out to council

City councillors heard from one resident who said she’s “disappointed” with them over the way they’ve rushed to approve a 707-home subdivision in the east end, despite citizens’ grave concerns with traffic congestion and flooding in the area.

Lynn Hopkins – a former city councillor - said she finds it “sickening” the way council accepted the subdivision plan so readily.

“I’m very disappointed with this council, with the rushing through of the approval for this subdivision,” she said.

She said that council seems to “gang up” and vote together to approve subdivisions when they ought to be making “individual decisions”.

Hopkins suggested spending more money on transit rather than on further consultant’s studies on transportation would be preferable.

City council heard one more round of concerns from concerned neighbors who think a proposed new 707-subdivision in the city’s east end will worsen traffic congestion and flooding.

Council was expected to vote a final time on Monday on whether to give final approval to allow development of the proposed Ashborough Village subdivision, east of the Lift Lock Golf Club (following a meeting on Aug. 27 when preliminary approval was granted).

A motion to defer the decision was rejected in an 8-3 vote.

But the debate and vote took place too late for The Examiner’s print deadline on Monday evening (please see online for updates to the story).

Earlier in the evening, councillors heard from six people who were unhappy with the proposed development.

The concerns expressed on Monday were focused mostly on the traffic congestion that a new 707-home subdivision could bring to an area of the city that’s already congested (especially because of swing bridges).

Richard Taylor, a local lawyer and former city solicitor, told councillors they should defer any plans for Ashborough Village until the city has completed a transportation secondary plan.

“Otherwise, you’ll end up with at least four – possibly five – signalized intersections along Television Rd. in a one-mile area,” he said.

“You can do better – and I think

the community deserves better.”

Ivan Bateman also spoke about the traffic congestion that would likely be caused by adding 707 homes on small lots in Ashborough Village.

He pointed out that it could mean delays for emergency vehicles trying to get to the subdivision.

“Minutes count, when there’s a fire – minutes count,” he said.

Bill Ayotte said he’s concerned about increased flooding to existing homes in the east-end area. He said construction of the new subdivision will mean paving over lots of greenspace – which will create more runoff to seep into basements that are already flood-prone.

He also said a combined police, fire and ambulance hub will be needed in the area to serve the expanded neighbourhood.

“If not, it’s a recipe for disaster,” he said.

Graeme Marrs also spoke in opposition, saying that council rushed to approve a plan from an out-of-town developer. Transit needs to be a part of the plan, he said – council should insist on it.

“I’m not sure why you work so long to accommodate them,” he said of the developers.

Marrs also noted that the developer himself has yet to speak to council in person about this plan but has instead sent his hired planners.

The property owned by the developer – 71.1 hectares – is bounded by Old Norwood Rd. to the north, city limits and Television Rd. to the east, rural properties to the south and the Liftlock Golf Club to the west.