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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNRSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14,1988, PAGE 9 Region opts for lower density in Otter Creek plan By Mike Johnston By a vote of 19-7, after arguments by Whitby west ward councillor ,Joe Bugelli, Durham regional council last week gave approval for the construction of single family homes in the Otter Creek area on land previously zoned for more high density residential development. Whitby council had already approved the application by Caincastle Developments Ltd. to amend the Town of Whitby's official plan to permit 50 single family homes - on land that could also accommodate 128 town- houses on four blocks of land adjacent to McQuay Blvd. Whitby council supported the Caincastle application despite a Town planning department rec- ommendation for higher density housing. Region planning committee also recommended denial of the Caincastle application, as Region planning department urged higher density. Bugelli, appearing before regional council on Wednesday on behalf of residents, appealed to councillors to ovefturn the Region planning committee recommend- ation. "Any more population would already tax an already over- densed population," said Bugelli, who presented a petition signed by 855 residents of the area in favor of Caincastle's proposal. He said the petition represented 90 per cent of the adult population living in Otter Creek. "This (affordable housing) is a major issue for the Town of Whitby, but don't penalize the existing ratepayers," said Bugelli. He said Whitby council is doing its part in providing affordable housing, noting that of the 1,200 homes now being planned in Whitby, 500. are "affordable." Bugelli also presented a letter from the Col. J.E. Farewell school advisory committee stating that the Otter Creek school could not handle any more children. He said the 128 townhouses would add an additional 600 people to the area. "There is, has to be, a place for concentrated housing," said Whit- by regional councillor Tom Ed- wards. "But this is not the appropriate setting for this type of higher density housing." He added that some of the 50 homes would could be considered higher density since they will have 45-ft. lots as opposed to the 50-ft. lots usually built in Whitby. Councillor Linda Dionne of Oshawa, who is also a member of Durham Region Non-Profit Hous- ing Corp. (DRNPHC), preferred the higher density zoning. She said the zoning had been on the land since 1973, and homebuyers should have been aware of the higher density zoning. W e have to have designated land. We have to have some place for affordable housing," said Dionne who noted that (DRNPHC) is having. a tough time finding suitable land for higher density housing. "By redesignating this land we are. taking away some of our options," she said. "We do build variable priced housing. But in this instance, that isn't the place to put that kind of development," said Mayor Bob Attersley who backed Cair- castle's proposal. Councillor Gerry Emm, who also backed Caincastle at Whitby council, supported it at the Region level as well. Region planning department had urged higher density housing on the property. "ýIt is also noted that, to date, regional council has given favor- able consideration to six devel- opment proposls in the Wiby urban area- whicb have eitber reduced the density of previously approved plans of subdivision or removed the potential for higher density developments," states a Region planning report. It must be emphasized that repeated reductions in density could undermine the urban structure and population guidelines which formn the basis of both the Durham and Whitby official plans." TEDA&RNTSLOAMSUPPLYILTD.i FALL CLEARANCE SALE On all Unilock Interlocking Stone seconds also available at discount prices TOP SOIL *FIREWOOD • • Sand • Limestone Curbs• Pine Mulch • Rockery Stone • Patio Slabs 683-0887 •PGravelTreated Timbers RIDE is on With funding made available from the provincial Ministry of the Solicitor General, Durham Regional Police have begun a RIDE program. Police say RIDE locations will be in "priority target areas" throughout the region, starting this month and continuing into 1989. Enrolment is up FROM PAGE 2 John's. The increase in enrolment in both boards means continued struggle by administrations to accommodate the students in facilities that are becoming¯ more and more crowded, and an increasing reliance on portables. The public board had requested funding for five schools from the Province last year, but received money for three. Ac- quired were another 44 portables to deal with the increase in school population in the region. i A total of 369 portables are now filling up schoolyard space at schools in Durham. Pringle Creek has 10, the most portables of all the Whitby public schools. The separate school board for Durham has a total of 108 portables. COUNSELLING -• 'The affordable = weight loss centre' = Is = Coming = - To - = Whitby watch for further details or call 728-7656or = 728-0129 ký