he September 23rd council agenda includes a report on the draft conceptual plans for the Doctors Lane and Old King Rd. neighbourhoods. There will be a presentation on this at the beginning. This exercise is very challenging for most of us as we are being asked what we would like to see in the defined areas in the next 30 years; we are being asked what changes we want to happen.  I am very supportive of creating a Community Planning Permit System and including such in the Official Plan; if we don’t do so, over the next 30 years there will be single, isolated decisions as to what kind of redevelopment occurs, one property at a  time. To speak of the Doctors Lane case, without a CPPS it is certain that we will not leverage the unique character of Doctors Lane such that a new public gathering place Is created; I refer to this one thing as it seems to be one of the wishes of most people when asked about this project.

In both cases a significant portion of the land involved is Township property.  The ownership gives us control over what happens on it.  Having said that, if the desired endpoint is anything more that an empty space a partner needs to be found to do and fund the development; and of course the partner needs to benefit.  I was confronted with this reality when I expressed to the planners that i)I like the concept plan showing development east of Doctors Lane and ii) having underground parking below the new community gathering place was great but there is too much density; rather than 4-6 stories 3-4 is more appropriate.  The “pushback” was about the cost to build underground parking and what will the developer require to make that investment.

In the Doctors Lane concept map I like very much the creation of road linkages across King Road (i.e. Doctors lane extending north and Fisher Street connecting to Dew Street but in both cases there is need to create clear pedestrian pathways and at least one pedestrian crosswalk.  I like enhancing south portion of Memorial Park with the identified gardens (pollinator, community etc.) And I like that both sides of King Road show multiple buildings of varied height; and many of them are appropriately identified as being 4-6 storeys.  Its fortunate that there are a couple properties which are heritage and would be candidates for adaptive development.  The Old King Rd concept map is here.  I like the pedestrian zones.  I am not satisfied that adapting the feedmill on Old King Road has been sufficiently explored.

If you have feedback and comments staff request that they be submitted by September 27.  You can also express your feedback by answering the survey by September 27.  And if you want more information as to what  has preceeded this report coming to Council I suggest you visit speaking@king.ca

If you wish to make a deputation at Council and/or make comments to Council please register with clerks@king.ca or send an email by noon Sept. 23rd.