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Whitby Free Proess, Wednesday, September 14, 1994, Page 17 Planning rulesfavour developers, MPP dlaims By Mike Kowalski Rulos wbich regulate land use planning in Ontario are 'stacked' in favour of devolopers, a local New Democratic Party MPP daims. More power should therefore be given te the public to offset the advantage now enjoyed by the development industry, Dur- ham West MPP Jim Wiseman told a bearing of the Ontario legislature's justice committee in Oshawa last week. Wiseman, wbo represents Ajax and Pickering, is a member of the committee whicb is touring the prvnce te roeceive imput into Blihl 163 -- a package of proposais aimed at revising vari- ous iaws, such as the Planning Act, which apply te local govern- ment. The firet of Wiseman's critical commente about the develop- ment industry came during a p resentation by the Osbawa- Durham Home Bilders' Associa- tion. Altbough applauding the government for measures whicb puirport te streamiine the plan- ning procees, the association ie concerned other proposais wili delay the procese, thues adding to the cost ofPnew homes, eaid firet vice-president Stephen Kas- singer. For example, the buildore soo no need for another round of public bearinge whon a subdivi- sion plan is eubmitted te a muni- cipal council, Kassinger teld the committee. Ho noted that when a major change in land use is proposed, an offcial plan amendment or rozonin g application is required and. public hearinge are auto- matie. "To introduco a further public meeting goes beyond the public intereet in openese and accounta- bility and introduces additional timo and coste in tbe process,» said Kassinger. The borne builders also tako exception with proposaIs that extend the Iength of time in whicb a council bas te take "effective act ion» in response to an officiai plan amendment application. '(An officiai plan is document that etipulatos proforred land uses in a municipality and serves as a blueprint te guide future deveopment.) Brunelle runs again FROM PAGE 1 signifi cantly, the Region bas reduced staff significantly and we're stilI offring the saine level of services.» Holding the lino on spending wbile maintaining services requires "experienco and leader- ship," said Brunelle. "Pimprepared te do for the people of Whitby whatever it takes te keep taxes down and get the job done, » he said. Brunelle rejected a reporter's suggestion that hie "le g ai pro- biem» mighFt cause bim difculty in bis re-election carnpaign. "It shouldn't have any effect,» said Brunelle. "I don't think I have a legal problem," ho said, «I fée] I did the job I was elected te do." Mie latter comment was a ref- erence te the $1-milîion siander suit filed againet Brunelle by a Stouffviile construction company earlier this vear. Pachino Construction Co. dlaims Brunelie is responsible for it losing a $1.5-million Durham Region contract to instail sewers in BrockIin. The company and Regon works departmient were the foius of a police investigation after aliegations were raised of quos- tionable conduct by works staff in connection with a numnber of construction projects. Police found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing but Pachino blamed Brunefle for both bis aileged role in council's decieion te take the contract away and award it te the next lowost bidder, as weil as the subsequent police probe. Brunelle said ho could not comment further since the mat- ter is now before the courts. But ho noted that the decision te take away Pachino's contract was a unanirnous one of regional council. "I wasn't alone,» Brunelle added. With Brunelle's announce- ment, ail members of council have now stated their intentions for the November election. East ward councilior Dennis Fox also ofcal declared bis candidacy=Mna, but ho bad previously registered for re-elec- tion. Local councillors John Doistra Don Mitchell and Judi Longf-ieiâ wiiI seek re-election respectively in the centre, north and west wards. Counciilors Joe Drurmm and Rose Batten will do Iikewise for their regionai positions. Mayor Tom Edwards bas yet te make a fermai announcoment, but previously confirmed that ho wilI run for a second terrn. Now, if an applicant believes that the application is not being deait with fairly, a request te have it referred to the Ontario Municipal Board afler 30 days can be made, Kassinger noted. But under the proposed legis- lation, the applicant will have te wait 150 days for the application to be reviewed and a decision made, plus another 15 days for council to refer tbe decision, he said. However, the proposaI that drew the most lire fromn the home builders is one that would allow approval of a draft subdivi- sion plan to lapse if no action is taken te, develop the site within a 'pcfic period. "Tiis provision in tbe bill is adding unwarranted risk te a development process which already bas considerable risks attached," said Kaseinger. uCur.ently, land muet be pur- cbased not fully knowing if the land use wiIl permit a reasonable return,» he said. "Expensive studies must be carried out te determine if the environmental concernes can be satisfied and at what costs.» If the market changes during the process to warrant an "amendment» te the product, or if tberna rket declines prior te the «arbitrary n tirnefrarne expir- ing, "al could be lost," Kassinger warned. Wiseman was not swayed by Kassinger's arguments. "I fundamentally disagree witb y our commenta on te time lapse"be said. "You're saying give it ail te the developers and nothing for the community.» As for the lengtb of time te appeal an official plan amend- ment, Wiseman wants that sec- tion made stronger. «If any officiai plIan amend- ment is signif icant, Fd ike te, see the whole official plan re-done,» bie said.. Association directer Jo Casey countered that forcing developers te, build on land within a certain period, regardiess ot market con- ditions, will "ruin" her and many othors in the indust "Most of the %~ilders in Ontario build 10-to-15 bouses a year. I myself build three-to- five,» said Casey. 4 "If you p t in this lapsing provsion I'Mlg under and what will bappen te the those wbo do 10, 15 bouses a year?» she asked. "You (MPPs) don't have know- ledge of the borne building indus- try. If we have thie, the industry wll fail.» Scarborough North MPP Alvin Curling was sympathetie te Case y's plea. "We muet change our feelings about developers, they're not al gouýgers, said tbe Liberal MPP. Wiseman was not convinced. He continued hie broadeide againet the industry later in the day during a presentation by the Regional Planning Commis- A 19-year-old man faces a variety of charges after an in- cident early Saturday morning at a Whitby restaurant. Police say the trouble began when a man harrassed a former airlfriend, an employee of Taco &Hl Tik son Rad outh. "lie was shouting at ber about ber new boyfriond and caling ber naines (throug the takeout window)," says Inspecter Dan Mattbews of Durbam Rogional Police. "When she leaned through the drive-tbrough windov.,Le hand Robbery foiled A non-coojierative attendant foîled a wouîd-be robber at tbe Canadian Tire Gas Bar early Tuosdav morning. Police say a man walkod into the booth at the 1342 Dundas St. E. g&as station around 1:10 arn. an d demanded money. iNot seeing a weapon, the attendant backed up inte, the office area. The suspect Ieaned over the counter, police say, but didn't sec the -cash tray because it was covered un with a large sheet of paper. ife th en left empty- handed uWhen it cornes to officiai plan amendrnents, developers get everything and the public gets nothing,» Wiseman charged. «Developers are there te ask for what is in their best economic interests. Councils should be there te, act in the publicse best interest " he said. The planning process has been tipped in the developer's favour, Wiseman claimed, by municipali- ties seeking more growth. "There's no way people are guaranteed that when they buy a picqf proery the zoning will styin ,plate ... I think there should be, hle said. sorne food tf ornoebody, he slap- ped ber in the head,7 says Mat- thews. Police were called around 1:45 a.m. and found a group of some 50 yoýuths, including the suspect, hanging around the parking lot, yelling and sweang at a car. The suspect, wh had been drinking, was ordered to go home four times, says Matthews. As friends struggled te, get him into a car, he cal ed officers a narne. When they atternpted to arrest him for causing a disturbance, he fought with an officer and had to be eubdued. No one was injured. He's charged with assaulting police, resisting arrest, mischief under $1,000 and assault. DBROOKLI .~DAY NURSEY . 2 F 14 Church St. Brooklin 655-3864 A non-profit org4taticn Icened to çeîve cf*iren 6 w1<ç to 12 yrç. Now taking regigtration for Nuriýer-Y §chool CAIL NQW To I 00/EJ Grand reopening7Q SHOWN IS an architect's rendering of the rebuiît Rossland Gardens plaza at the southeast corner of Rossland Road and Garden Street. The plaza is holding its officiai reopening Saturday. Part of the second floor railing and facade collapsed in early June and although the stores and off ices continued to operate. employees and customners had to contend with construction crews making repairs. A number of promotions and contests are planned for Saturday's festivities. OfPRODUCEi Re.Excepi Apples* LJflf&fPears I 12 Cr/CoPdceOffer Expires October, 2/94.. y- - --- ------ ------- ONTAPIO Applea IVlarkeat j 4425 Thickson Rd. N., Whitby 655-4130 - ------------- --------- Man faces charges after restaurant spat 1