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Whitby, Region at odds over-growth .By MfkeKowalold Durham Region and Whitby remain at loggerheads over plans for future growth of the munici- pality. .Town council's planning sud development committee had harsh Word. lest week for the latest version of a proposed offi- ciai plan for Durham Region. The committee recommended that council approve a report fromt the planning departmnent which is extremely critical of various aspects of Durham's draft officiaiplan. Speciflcally, the committee is upset over prooais for popula- tion figures snd densityplus the location of future residential sud indéusNtri al areas in Whitb. Councillor Marcel Îr:nelle said that if a recommendation cafling for 30 persons per acre (ppa) is approved it will be «packing em in like sardines.» Councillor Joe Drumm termed the Region'. density projections «homrndous.» "I think we should go to Bata Shoes and learn how to use a shoe horn to get them ail In," said Drumm. Durham Region council' s p an- nine comte as tabledt the revsedoffcia plan recommen- dations. An officiai plan is a document ýwhich specifies land use policies in a municipality. Durbam's current plan was adopted by regional council in 1976 and approved by the pro- vince two years later. It.has been undergoing a revi- sion the past few years to accem- modate growth until the year 2021. Wihîtby is aise revisinj its own officiai plan, ado pted m. 1973, but is much further behind in the process thaLn Durham. The pllanning coulting firm of M.M. Dillon Ltd. was hired lest year to, undertake Whitby' review wbich is not expected te be compieted until sometime next year. According te a Town staff report, several changes were made te, the Region's.draft pro- posais released last year. The-changes include: * reducing Whitby's population from 165,000 te, 160,000 (135,000 in south Whitby and 25,000 in Brokli),the eistin officiai plan calsa for a combine popula- tion of only 135,000; * employment in Whitby's in-, dustrial ares is projected at 58,000 -hc is a derase from the o al figue of 89,000; *stburban Whitby is pro- Pésed te, expand north of Taun- tn ]Rd. to, the ervnvinmentally 'sensitive sud wooded Lake Iro- qucis (an ancient body of water yvhicb once covered 'most of soutbern Ontario) shoreline in the fourth concession; A prevriously proposed residen- tial area centered on Conlin Rd., west of Thickson Rd. has been deleted sud replaeci with an industrial designation. & * Brooklin's urban area is pro- posed te expand to encompass the 179-acre Villagel Square pro- gerty on the west fiank toAshÉ- sun d.ad the 307-acre Mark- boreugh lande east of Thickson Rd. Althougb the report notes that the Region's projected population figures are consistent with the Town's own estimate of 155,000, the3 3ppa is not. According to staff, 20-21 ppa is "mnore achievable and realistîe.» Planning directoir Bob Short told committee that whiie Town planners recommend the popula- tion figures remain the sanie, it be distributed 6ver a much, larger area.' 1Pointintz out that, he thought the existmg plan's projection Of 135,000 is1 high, Bruneile said counicil shoulcf!cosider a iowèr number. Short said that while Whitby can accommodate the higher figure the problem- lies in where growti occurs. Councilior L4ynda Buffett dis- agreed with the Region's recom- mendation for industrial, lands around the proposed Hwy. 407. (The 60 kmn. freeway, from Markham to Newcastle will pass through the northern sections of Picékering, Wbitby Oshaa and Newcasle.) Noting that it wili be at lest 30 years before the highway is built, Buffett asked "What in- dusr would locate thiiee7 Buffett said land along the HwY. 401 corridor and in west Whutby is «more 1og*ca" foin- dustrial development. «We have to provide more in- dustriai land tôday and flot in the future if we don't want everyone goingte, Toronto to work,» sai rBuffett.. Drummr, -a member of the Region' s planning committee said Town -staff ha-d contradictel aimost ail the major elements of the Regien's plan. "This report will not be recel- ved with unbounded joy," said Drumm. However, lie agreed with staff. "What the Region is. trying to do to our community is wrong,» said Drumm. Councilior Ross Batten remin- ded committee of the brief hie presented to the Regien's plan- ning committee last year. Batten saidhis comments that teRegin could not justify t n ipsals for Whitby stili bhld «What I tried to do last June was say the way they put.facts and figures together was like pulling nuffibers out of a hat," said Ba1 n. "What «Wefound toniglit is that there is no supporting material for their population figures.» Batten said that when Whitby's own officiailp Ian review is completed, «we U. 1 have the material in place to justiSr the decisions we make. «That is why it is so important the- Region give us room to do what we wainYto do.» Batten said Durham's proposai that Whitby be' one massive «urbanmunicipality from Lake Ontario to Brooklin is wrong. «There is a natural green space boundaiy between Brooklin sud sonth Whitby sud they're just goingmin sd levelling it for houesgsud industry.» Batten ýsaid the recommenda- tien te have a greenbelt area cut througb industrial lands berder- mng Hwy. 401 will cause future problems. "If we talce a large chunk of industrial land eut of our coni- munity F don't know what wil h 407 will not be here fer 30 years sud we will find our- selves net baving enough land fer employment areas if we plan around 407.» Batten said it is incumxbent upon Drumm sud NWhitby's ether regional councillors te argue the Tewn's case foroefuily. Drumin said the plan was oni- ginally slated for *debate this week but will likelr net comne before the Regfion s, planning committee until May. liepromised that the.Town's objections will be raised at both committee sud council, if necess- addition te recommending approval df the staff report, the committee wants copies sent te botb the Region and Ontario Ministry of Municinpai Affairs.1 The recommendation was te have been deaIt with by Town 'council on -ody CULP & ANDERSON ACCOUNTING AND TAX PROFESSIONALS With this ad receive $5.00 off any tax retum Tom Anderson 114 Dundas St. E., Sufte 202, Whitby (416) 430-1817 Hours: Mon.-Tues. 9a'm-5pm, Wed.-Fri. garn-9prn Sat. 9am-5pm, Sun. 1 prn-5pm Lirnâ one per person. Not valid wâh any other off er.