Municipal Election 2018

I am delighted that I will continue to be at the Council table!  Thank you for your vote of confidence.

I ran for re-election as I wanted to continue serving King residents and businesses as I felt good about my contributions.   Furthermore I knew that there are challenges and opportunities ahead for the Township which require analysis, debate and tough decision making.

Traffic Calming: we want to slow down the traffic

At our November 4 Council meeting we spent considerable time hearing from constituents about speeding in their neighbourhood; that then triggered discussion about speeding problems throughout the Township.  To get a better understanding of the problem people are requested to review the TRAFFIC CALMING initiative on [email protected]  Please answer the survey.  (To do the survey you must register.)  Thursday November 21 6-8 PM at the Municipal Centre there is a public information session; residents across the Township are invited to attend. (more…)

GTA West Corridor

At November 4 Council meeting there will be a deputation by Ministry of Transport re:  the GTA West  Corridor,specifically the planning and environmental assessment study, stage 2.  I have made several posts on this issues reviewing my opposition; accordingly I was very disappointed when the new provincial government revived the EA which had been stopped.  I must admit that I have not paid attention to the matter since its revival so I do welcome hearing an update.  But, even though I am well aware that congestion on our regional and provincial roads is very bad I don’t believe additional roads for automobiles is a long term, sustainable solution; given the environmental costs of creating  this corridor alternate solutions needs to be expedited. Finally, spending scarce money on new roads seems really bizarre  given the climate crisis which many people and jurisdictions, King Township, acknowledge.

Country Day School Public Meeting

At November 4 Council meeting there is a public meeting for the zoning bylaw amendment application by Country Day School.  The application is triggered by plans to increase permanent facilities (and eliminate temporary ones), to modify parking area; end result will be better facilities for the existing student population.  The plans feature very creative inclusion of the heritage 1863 Eversely schoolhouse.  As reviewed in the report the proposal has been carefully assessed against the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan, other provincial policies and our own Official Plan.  If you have questions or concerns attend the public meeting and/or send in comments by email to [email protected]

Boundary Adjustment Public Meeting

At November 4 Council there is a public meeting regarding an application to make boundary adjustments on 2 properties on 19th SDRD west of Old Bathurst.  As reviewed in the report there are several factors which are positive about the proposal but there is one which is of concern and for which there needs to be more study:  the proposed retained lands are significantly less than the required minimum, per our Zoning Bylaw. (5.1 hectares versus 10.)  Per the zoning bylaw a lot size of 10 ha is required in order to be utilized for agricultural purposes.  As the subject property is within the Oak Ridges Moraine the ORMCP (Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan) also needs to be considered and it requires that severances or boundary adjustment can only be made if no undersized lots are created for the current or intended purposes.  As I understand the ORMCP objective is to ensure that agriculture continues to be a very viable, productive land use I can appreciate why the required exception needs to be studied very carefully by Staff.   If you have questions or concerns attend the public meeting and/or send in comments by email to [email protected]

Proposed All Way Stop Signs

At November 4 Council meeting there are 2 reports reviewing proposals for installing all way stop signs in response to residernts in each of the area requesting such.  I am glad to see Staff assessing these requests even though the warrants (i.e. volume) of the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM) are not being met.  I will be interested to learn whether there are identifiable risks associated with proceeding.  I am also interested to understand why there is a suggestion that there will be some sort of monitoring the success or the value of installing the signs at 16th Sideroad (northerly)  and 10th concession but there is no mention of doing so after installation at Elizabeth Grove and Patton Street.

Public Meeting November 18: King Rd/Banner Lane

November 18 there is a public meeting for a development application for the site where the municipal offices were located previously i.e. King Road and Banner Lane.  It is an important application in terms of its impact on King City.  Here is the notice.