Residents ‘tragically upset‘ to hear plans of sixâ€"sto By Melanie Hennessey CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Dismayed," "surprised" and "tragically upset" re among the words local residents are usâ€" ng to describe their feelings about plans for i sixâ€"storey apartment on west Milton lands hat were previously intended for a lowâ€"rise nedical building. The proposal was the subject of a public meeting held by the Town‘s Committee of the Whole last week, when residents who live around the site at the southwest corner of Derry Road and Farmstead Drive turned out to voice their opposition to the 170â€"unit apartment building. While a sign had stood on the site for months indicating a proposed twoâ€"storey medical building, Town staff told the committee those plans are no longer proceeding. All resigents who spoke during the meetâ€" ing took exception to the plan change, with many indicating they wouldn‘t have bought nearby hc.jes if they knew an apartment could ultimately be built on the lands. Consultant Nancy Friday, who spoke on beâ€" half of developers York Trafalgar Corporation and Sutherland Group, noted that current zoning for the land actually permits a buildâ€" ing that‘s up to eight storeys. An Official Plan amendment would be reâ€" quired to make way for a proposed higher unit density, while a zoning bylaw amendâ€" ment would be needed to accommodate inâ€" creased lot coverage. Roseheath Drive resident Fred Spohr preâ€" sented the committee with a petition he said was signed by 80 per cent of the residents in his neighbourhood who are opposed to the plans. _ . "Our concerns are mostly about traffic, safety and noise," he said. t CANADA‘S AUTOMOTIVE A sixâ€"storey apartment building is being proposed for lands previously intended for a lowâ€"rise medical building at Derry Road and Farmstead Drive. Melanie Hennessey /Canadian He and others at the meeting also voiced worries about the proximity of Milton District Hospital‘s helipad to the potential apartment, citing safety concerns that could arise as the emergency helicopters swoop in for a landâ€" ing. dikst Mayor Gord Krantz asked if the petitionâ€" ers have considered what could be built on the site right now with no requirement for a public meeting, referring to the zoning that would currently permit an eightâ€"storey strucâ€" ture. "We were originally led to believe this would be a twoâ€"storey medical building," said Spohr. "We would welcome that. it fits right into the neighbourhood." "But what‘s permitted there now is an eightâ€" storey building and what‘s being suggested is a sixâ€"storey," noted Krantz. "Are you saying we should be happy it‘s only six storeys?" asked Spohr. "What I‘m trying to determine is would you sooner see an eightâ€"storey building or a sixâ€" storey building?" questioned Krantz. / m 3 | A 8 3 NS | w0 PLUSI SAVE an additional $20 this package as are for most vehicles warranty for exclusions. **Prices > . Larger vehicles ald unti CLL FOR AN APPOINTMENT TODAY! with this ad on n naren Deal O , 2016. 1210 STEELES AVENUE EAST, MILTON 905â€"878â€"2349 Champion Spohr said he and his neighbours take issue with both the height of the building as it differs from the previous plans and the proâ€" posed number of units, which he noted could potentially generate hundreds of commuters on local roads. Krantz said, "Again, | just want to make people aware of what is permitted there now." "That‘s little comfort to those people who live there now," replied Spohr. "I‘m not about telling people what they want rey building to hear" said Krantz. "I‘m about telling what the reality of the situation is at the present time." "But | expect council to protect the people who live here," said Spohr, which was met with a round of applause from the audience. "I‘m on the side of the residents, believe it or not, but these are hard questions that have to be asked," said Krantz. The mayor asked staff for clarification on the "misleading advertising" of the proposed medical building on the property. Commissioner of Planning and Development Barb Koopmans said the sign was advertising available space in a proposed medical buildâ€" ing, but the "leasing opportunities were not being picked up," so the developer has now brought forward alternative plans. Fellow Roseheath Drive resident Tom Morriâ€" son said he and his wife, who are longâ€"time Miltonians, purchased their home in April and understood that the site was slated for a medical facility. "We did our homework prior to purchase," he emphasized. "In no way did we entertain the notion that it would even be considered as a site for a sixâ€"storey apartment. 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