milton town hall report

Look whats coming now

Mike Cluett

Town council was told recently by the budget department of Milton that an 8 per cent increase in taxes for 2008 and a further increase of 5 per cent in 2009 will be needed in order to sustain existing service levels.

8 %? Thats not a small increase now is it? Back in 2007 taxes only went up a minimal 2% but that was just before a municipal election. We are now close to a year into the term and this comes up for discussion.

This would mean an approximate increase of $55 for residential taxpayers and $ 46 for rural taxpayers based on $300,000 value of the home. Thats just to keep things where they are now.

The town of Milton recently spent over a million dollars on new transit buses for the town. The question is do we really need them now. The quick answer is yes, but not right now. We could have maintained our transit system with the current buses acquired from the Town of Oakville.
Transit in this town is quite the issue. Some believe we need it and some say, why bother. The only hard part of this is finding out how much its being used. If it is, then it can be justified. If not (and I’m leaning towards the latter) then we can take some time, analyze ridership numbers and make those decisions later. BUT, its a done deal. Now if we didnt buy those buses, could they have come back with a smaller increase in taxes? Quite possible. But we’ll never know.

Over the course of the next few months there will be some public meetings on budget matters, and thats where Milton residents can have their say. Now, we get to see if pre-election promises match post-election actions.

In a statement I found most shocking, Councillor Jan Mowbray of ward 3 stated it would be a waste of time to ask town staff do a report for a zero increase budget. Doing what we can to save taxpayers dollars is never a “waste of time.” Thankfully her motion was defeated and town staff will look at what they can to reduce the impact.

What’s required of us? Communication. It may be summer and at this point dealing with summer vacations, soccer practices, barbq’s, and preparing our kids for school next year might be in the forefront of our minds, but we need to let our elected representatives know what you’re thinking. Phone, fax or email your councillors to let them know what priorities they should have. If the tax increases go through, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

In all reality, the tax increase might not be as high as 8 % because the town staff always asks for more and then its negotiated down to a more reasonable level. Thats just negotiations. But still, one year after a tax increase we’re hit with the possibility of even more money coming out of our pockets is hard to take.

I dont know about you but Im tired of being told its “ONLY going to be another X amount of dollars.” It seems we’re told that every time theres an increase. My response is, it its ONLY going to be that amount, then find the savings or stop spending money. This council has prided itself on being a pay as you go council. We’ll soon see.

Here is the link to the Champion story by Stephanie Hounsell.

Town’s taxes could jump up 8% in 2008

Budget process begins

Stephanie Hounsell
Published on Jul 20, 2007

Residents can expect to pay anywhere up to eight per cent more in taxes next year, and will now play the waiting game as the Town’s 2008 budget process begins.

A budget call report — which outlines what the anticipated tax increase will be for the next year and sets directions for staff in preparing the budget — went before council Monday night.

Town director of corporate services and treasurer Linda Leeds told council a 9.36 per cent tax hike would be necessary next year to maintain existing service levels as well as a five per cent increase in 2009.

But council directed staff to prepare packages showing what the operating budget would look like at a maximum of an eight per cent increase ($55.67 more for urban residents and $45.97 more for rural based on a $300,000 assessment), as well as with no tax increase, a three per cent tax hike ($20.88 more for urban residents and $17.24 more for rural) and a five per cent increase (urban, $34.79 and rural, $28.73).

To get down to a zero per cent increase, staff would have to look at reductions in various services, Leeds told council.

Amongst the items driving up the 2008 operating budget are staff wages, new debt payments, the cost of inflation and a decrease in funding from provincial grants.

Ward 3 councillor Jan Mowbray said it’s a waste of Town staff’s time to have to crunch the numbers for a zero per cent increase.

“It seems like it’s a ridiculous exercise to put staff through,” Mowbray said.

She put forward a motion to that effect, but it failed.

Council also approved a recommendation that the $738,000 funding received from the Region of Halton for 2007 GTA Pooling be included as a funding source in preparing the capital budget.

At this point, it’s expected budget packages will go out to the budget committee by November 26, and the committee will meet for deliberations December 11.

Final council approval of the budget could be given December 17.

Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com.

Milton Search

Mike Cluett

For those who are new to Milton, it can be a confusing place. There is a lot of construction going on, roads are closed at times and theres so much to learn about the town, you dont know where to begin. That’s all changed.

Back in June, at the 150th Anniversary Street Party in fact, there was a new website launched called http://www.miltonsearch.com/

If you need to find out something about the town, events that are happening soon, places to eat and things to do…its all here.

You can find pictures of events past, a listing of restaurants near you and fun things to do with the kids for the summer. Some of you are finding my blog through http://www.miltonsearch.com/ and I thank you for coming back.

I recommend you take a stroll through the website, send in some feedback and bookmark it as one of your favourites. Its a great source of information on Milton and news that affects us as well.

Councillors Pay Increase

Mike Cluett

I just wanted to preface this with a statement. I am in favour of paying our politicians well for the work they do. I have no qualms with the amount of the pay increase recently approved by the Milton town council. I do however, have a problem with the way its done.

A councillor should not be able to vote themselves a pay increase. They do vote on all budget matters but this current council should not benefit from this decision. When it comes to pay increases we should have these decisions made effective the date the NEXT council is elected.

There’s an old saying “politics is perception” and it rings true here. What are the citizens of this town to think after hearing taxes this year going up and now, very quickly and quietly, a pay increase for the people around the table. It doesn’t look right.

Greg Nelson was the only one to vote against the increase seeing it was his first time sitting around the council table and “had reservations about voting myself a pay raise on my first day on the job.”

Pay increases are fine. Paying politicians of all levels what they are worth is something that we need. The debate grows at each level to seek out what we should be paying our elected officials. My only problem is that when they vote to increase pay, it should be effective the next council.

I was a candidate for election this past November as all the others who sit around the table were. When we received our candidate information packages the salaries were posted. If anyone had a problem with the amount they were going to be paid, they could have made the decision not to run. Not that the salary be the only factor in a person putting their name forward for election, but it does make a difference.

They ran on the fact their salaries were going to be $ 21,000 and it should remain at that level until the next election. What the town needs to do is working in some sort of a cost of living increase at predetermined times, and it would take the issue of councillors voting themselves pay increases out of their hands and much more palatable to the taxpayers.

This is from the June 29Th Milton Canadian Champion

Councillors get hefty pay hikes – Melanie Hennessey
Published on Jun 29, 2007

Town council has approved giving its members some pretty hefty raises.

The decision was made Monday night after staff recommended the increases to make council’s remuneration in line with municipalities of comparable population and proximity to Milton.

This means effective Sunday, Mayor Gord Krantz’s annual income will go from $49,133 for the year to $60,480, while the rest of council will see an increase from $21,096 to $25,096.

Although there was no discussion among council members about the raise at Monday’s meeting, the Champion asked a few of its members what they think about the extra money.

Mayor Gord Krantz said his raise is a “reasonable amount,” pointing out that compared to the other municipalities on the list staff prepared, Milton’s new wages are still far from being the highest or lowest.

“I personally don’t have a problem with it,” he said. “And if you don’t (allocate for raises), sooner or later you’ve got to play a lot of catch up.”

Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray had no qualms with the raise either, explaining she’s discovered being a councillor is an expensive proposition.

For example, she said she’s always buying tickets for community events.

She also highlighted the long hours she puts in as a politician. “It’s supposed to be a part-time job, but it’s a lot more,” she said.

Mowbray said she starts at 6 a.m. on her computer, responding to residents and researching information for them until noon. Then, she’s out many afternoons and evenings at events and meetings.

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Scherer also spoke out in favour of the raises.

“I think the salaries are fair now,” he said. “Looking at the comparison to other communities, we’re where we should be.”

He added that the comparison method is a good way to keep salaries on an even keel.
Scherer also said he thinks this type of raise should be dealt with before an election, not right after.

As the newest member of council, Ward 2 Councillor Greg Nelson did oppose the increase, since Monday’s meeting was his first after being elected in the June 14 byelection.

“I had reservations about voting myself a pay raise on my first day on the job,” he said.
“I couldn’t justify it for myself. I’m keenly aware that I have to earn every dime.”

The hikes will cost $25,673 for the remainder of this year and add $51,347 annually onto the operating budget hereafter.

Council also supported retaining the one-third tax-free allowance for the 2007-10 term of council, meaning one-third of council members’ income isn’t taxed.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.

Milton’s Walk of Fame

Mike Cluett

I had a quite eventful weekend starting on Saturday. Both Chris Hadfield PS and Hawthorne Village PS had carnivals this weekend. I had made arrangements with a good friend of our running the Chris Hadfield event to help them out and be … er deliver Milly the Millstone to the school. Needless to say being a mascot in a huge costume like Milly’s is quite the challenge.

In between the heat, the fact that the fan inside Milly didnt work and the occasional jab/push/shove/kick from the odd kid or two…it was a great time. Many of the children knew who Milly was or were very interested in learning more about it. Thats a start. The number of people calling it a hockey puck has RAPIDLY decreased over the past few months of Milly’s existence which makes those of us who helped bring her to life feel quite good.

NOW on to something REALLY big…

Its something that every municipality tries to do. Some try it with awards, and some try it with accomadations of some kind. Milton’s celebrating its roots.

Milton will have its own Walk of Fame. Twenty seven Miltonians have been selected to be its first inductee’s to our Walk of Fame. This is quite possibly the most exciting undertaking the Town of Milton has been a part of in recent history.

Each one of these inductees will be given a place in our Walk of Fame which will be physically located in the soon to be built Town Hall upgrade.

Here’s the official press release from the Town of Milton. More to come … so stay tuned!

Milton’s 150th Anniversary Master Committee establishes Walk of Fame recognition program

First 27 inductees to be honoured by community on Canada Day

MILTON, Ontario – The Corporation of the Town of Milton announced today that its 150th Anniversary Master Committee, assisted by Milton Historical Society, has established the Walk Of Fame, a 150th Anniversary legacy program that will honour Miltonians past and present who have earned significant national and/or international recognition through their enduring achievements.

The Walk of Fame will be permanently established along the glass overhead walkway that joins Town Hall to its new addition. Each Walk of Fame member will have his or her own specially-inscripted floor tile along the walkway corrider.

Twenty-seven Miltonians will be inducted during inaugural Walk of Fame ceremonies at Milton Fairgrounds on Canada Day this year. They are:

Bert Stewart (Agriculture) – Mr. Stewart is one of the world’s most successful cattle showmen and judges. He has had 16 grand champion show winners at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and countless winners and champions in Canada, the U.S., Mexico, Italy and Brazil;

Harry Barnes (Athletics) –

Bruce Hood (Athletics) – Mr. Hood was a referee in the National Hockey League from 1963 to 1984. During his 21-year NHL career, Mr. Hood officiated 1,033 regular season games, 157 Stanley Cup playoff games, three NHL All-Star games and three Canada Cup games. He was appointed as Air Travel Complaints Commissioner by then Prime Minister Jean Chretien in the Summer of 2000 and served in the role until 2002. He was the author of two books, “Calling the Shots” (1988) and “The Good of the Game“ (1999);

Mike Kaszycki (Athletics) – Mr. Kaszycki played more than 200 National Hockey League games between 1977 and 1982 with the New York Islanders, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs. Of note, he played on a line with fellow Miltonian John Tonelli in 1979 while both were with the Islanders;

Darlene Kranstz (Athletics) – Ms. Kranstz helped to pioneer the sport of Jiu-Jitsu amongst women around the world. She is a four-time female World Champion in Sport Jiu-Jitsu, having won in 1988, 1992, 1995 and 1996

Bob Kranstz (Athletics) – Mr. Kranstz was instrumental in the inception of Sport Jiu-Jitsu in the 1970’s and is a former three-time World Champion (Senior Division over 40);

Peter McDuffe (Athletics) – Peter McDuffe played 57 games in the National Hockey League between 1971 and 1976 with St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers, Kansas City Scouts and Detroit Red Wings;

Enio Sclisizzi (Athletics) – Enio Sclisizzi played 77 National Hockey League games during the Original Six between 1946 and 1952 with the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks;

Tiger Ali Singh (Athletics) – The son of Tiger Jeet Singh, Tiger Ali Singh was a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) wrestler from 1997 to 2002. Over that time he won the Kuwait Cup Tournament, was a two-time International Wrestling Association team champion and the Asian Heavyweight Champion;

Tiger Jeet Singh (Athletics) – Tiger Jeet Singh fought in the Canadian, U.S. and international wrestling circuits from 1965 to 2005. During that time, he wrestled professionally in Japan for 22 years. He won numerous championships;

Leon Stickle (Athletics) – Mr. Stickle worked as a linesman in the National Hockey League between 1970 and 1997. Mr. Stickle worked in 1,967 regular season games, 250 Stanley Cup playoff games, six Stanley Cup games, two Canada Cups and three NHL All-Star games;

John Tonelli (Athletics) – Mr. Tonelli played 1,028 National Hockey League games between 1978 and 1992 with the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks and Quebec Nordiques. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders and appeared in the 1984 Canada Cup, where he was named Most Valuable Player;

Ed Whitlock (Athletics) – Mr. Whitlock is a long distance runner and the first person over 70 years of age in the world to run a marathon in less than three hours with a time of 2:59:10 in 2003. Mr. Whitlock became the oldest person in the world to run under three hours in 2000 in age 69 with a time of 2:52:47. Since then, he has continued to extend this record, most recently to age 74 with a time of 2:58:40;

Peter Appleyard (Arts & Entertainment) – Mr. Appleyard is one of the world’s best vibraphonists, percussionists and composers. Mr. Appleyard has played on television and radio and toured all over the world since becoming a professional musician after World War II. He has accompanied almost every major band leader, jazz musician and jazz singer over his long and illustrious career. Mr. Appleyard was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1992;

Albert Casson (Arts & Entertainment) – Mr. Casson is one of Canada’s foremost wildlife artists. Amongst his most celebrated works are At The Edge, artwork depicting giant Panda’s from China, for which he was commissioned by Kodak Canada on behalf of the Calgary Zoo;

Ernie Coombs (Arts & Entertainment) – Mr. Coombs was “Mr. Dressup” on the CBC television network from 1968 and 1996 and was supported in his entertainment of Canadian children throughout those years by his friends, Casey and Finnegan. He was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1996;

David James Elliot (Arts & Entertainment) – Mr. Elliot was the star of the hit CBS television series “JAG,” which ran from 1995 to 2005. He played the character, Harmon Robb, Jr. Mr. Elliot has played in a number of TV and movie productions, most recently “The Man Who Lost Himself,” based on the true life story of former Canadian Football League player Terry Evanshen;

Lieutenant-Colonel G. Allan Burton (Business & Industry) – Mr. Burton began his career with the Robert Simpson Company, one of Canada’s leading department store retail chains during the 20th Century, in 1935 and retired as Chairman in 1978. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1985;

Colonel F.H. Deacon (Business & Industry) – Mr. Deacon founded F.H. Deacon & Company in 1905, making it one of the first brokerage firms in Canada and one of the first 30 securities firms to have a seat on the Toronto Stock Exchange. He became a millionaire by 1914 and almost lost it all during the stock market crash of 1929. Through financial cunning, perseverance and hard work, Colonel Deacon kept his firm afloat through the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression and World War II while most of his competitors closed their doors. He sold the firm to his sons in 1948;

Susan Delacourt (Business & Industry) – Ms. Delacourt is currently Ottawa Bureau Chief for the Toronto Star, a columnist for the Ottawa Citizen, and a regular commentator for CBC Newsworld’s “Politics” show and CBC Radio’s “The House.” She also worked for the Globe and Mail in a similar capacity and has covered national politics for more than 20 years. She is the author of “United We Fall,” an account of the doomed Charlottetown constitutional accord, and “Shaughnessy: The Passionate Politics of Shaughnessy Cohen”.

Jim Dills (Business & Industry) – Mr. Dills served as Executive Director of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association between 1979 and 1987, and played a leadership role in bringing community newspapering in Canada through tough times economically as well as in terms of educating it to better understand the need to incorporate emerging technologies;

Douglas Leiterman (Business & Industry) – A major creative talent of the 1960s, Mr. Leiterman, in partnership with Patrick Watson, created and produced the CBC’s seminal public affairs programme This Hour Has Seven Days, which has repeatedly been cited as the most exciting and innovative public affairs series of its kind in the history of Canadian television;

P.L. Robertson (Business & Industry) – Mr. Robertson is the Canadian inventor of the socket-head screw and the socket-head screwdriver, first produced in his factory, P.L. Robertson Company Limited, in 1908. His firm was the largest employer in Milton for more than 50 years. Mr. Robertson also authored “The Gold Standard.”

Senator Betty Kennedy (Government & Public Service) – Senator Kennedy was appointed a Canadian Senator in 2000 by then Prime Minister Jean Chretien. She is best known as a panelist on the long-running CBC television network show, Front Page Challenge, from 1962 to 1995. She was the author of two books, “Gerhard” (1975) and “Hurricane Hazel” (1979). In 1982, Mrs. Kennedy was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1983, she was elected to the Canadian News Hall of Fame and in 1992 Mrs. Kennedy was elected to the Canadian Broadcasting Hall of Fame;

The Honourable Jim Snow (Government & Public Service) – Mr. Snow was Canada’s longest serving Minister of Transportation, serving almost ten years, from 1975 to 1984. He served as a Member of Provincial Parliament, representing Halton from 1967 to 1985. He wrote an autobiographical account of his life in politics, entitled, “Mr. Jim.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Hadfield (Health & Science) – Canadian Space Agency Astronaut Chris Hadfield was the first Canadian Mission Specialist (STS-74 – November 1996), the first Canadian to ever leave a spacecraft and float free in space (STS-100 – April 2001), the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm in orbit (STS-74 – November 1996), and the first and only Canadian to board Space Station Mir (STS-74 – November 1996);

Dr. John Wallace McCutcheon (Health & Science) -Dr. McCutcheon was one of the five founders of Blue Cross (Ontario) in 1941.

To be considered for Walk of Fame recognition, a candidate must be born in Milton or have spent formative or creative years in the community over a minimum 10-year period. The nominee’s accomplishments must be national or international in scope and must be best-in-class in his or her best-in-class field of endeavour for a minimum two-year period. Inductees will only be added to the Walk of Fame as credentials permit, rather than on an annual basis.

In future years, the program will be administered by the Town of Milton’s Department of Community Services, with nominations provided by Milton Historical Society and the general public.

Signs signs everywhere signs

Mike Cluett

Well, not everywhere it seems. But in Milton’s Ward 2 things are beginning to heat up for the municipal by-election on June 14th.

The list of candidates has been finalized and they include John Challinor, former Ward 2 councillor (most recently he was the Ward 4 councillor); Peter Haight, who came in 3rd place in November for ward 2; Mike Bugala who is a new comer to the political landscape in Milton; former Regional and Town Councillor Ron Furik who was defeated in November by a returning Colin Best, and Greg Nelson, who ran two previous times in Ward one back in 2003 (placed 3rd) and most recently against yours truly in 2006 where he placed 4th.

The date has been set, the race is under way and the sign “war” has begun. Driving around town this morning I had noticed a large number of John Challinor signs on ward 2 lawns and the early status of front runner hasn’t held him back. Rumour has it that John has been hitting the doors talking to residents outlying his experience both as a Ward 4 and Ward 2 councillor. John has a strong knowledge of the ward and its issues since he both lived in and represented the ward when he first came to council.

Even after the election in November, John has continued working with the town in many different aspects. Most notably he has been helping out the 150th Anniversary Master Committee in starting up the Milton WALK OF FAME. He, along with Bruce Carlin of the Milton Historical Society, will be the hosts of the Canada Day activities where we will officially introduce the first inductee’s of Milton’s Walk of Fame.

Not much is known about Mike Bugala and the issues and experience he’s bringing to the table. You are beginning to see, very quietly, some lawn signs appear on the boulevards of ward 2.

Peter Haight is also in the running, and his site has been recently updated to show the new election date and information on why he is running. Peter came in 3rd place in November behind current Ward 2 councillor Mike Boughton and now former councillor Mark Curtis, who has gone on to be a JP for the province of Ontario.

Ron Furik, taking a page out of the book of yours truly (see, someone IS listening) now has a blog and website he plans to update during the campaign. What is more important to see is if he continues the site after the election is over. I had pledged during the campaign in November that I was going to continue to blog about Milton happenings, issues and keep people up to date on town hall, and I’ve done my best to keep it up to date. Having a site during an election is great, but you have to properly use it. Ron’s entries from the November campaign were all erased and he’s starting from scratch. As an aside, I’ve kept all of my entries from the past and will continue to have them available for everyone to read.

Greg Nelson, who lives in ward 2 also has a website with his information and what has driven him to run again for council. I understand there’s a long tradition in his family for public service, which is a noble thing.

What this town needs is real ideas on what needs to be done for Milton, and not generalized statements about what is wrong … we need ideas of how we can make things better. Anyone can point out we have some traffic issues in many parts of town, or growth needs to be controlled, but how can we fix them and what can the councillor for the area do to better the quality of life here in Milton.

Anyone who is living in Ward 2 should do their best to contact the candidates and ask them the hard questions…what have you done for Milton in the past and what plans do you have for Milton’s future? Each of the candidates has to ask themselves why they are running for council. The candidates need to offer the residents a concrete plan of what they will do as councillor and what they will do to improve the quality of life in Milton.

So far, it looks like John Challinor is continuing the trend as front runner in this race. Town council needs his experience and his input on things that Milton is facing in the coming years. Johns level head-ness and common sense has been missed around the table and the residents of ward 2 will be best served by returning John Challinor to town council.

No More Sobeys

Mike Cluett

Well for now.

This decision boggles my mind actually. With all the new development currently underway in the western side of town, the need for a grocery outlet is desperately needed. Proponents against the development said that it would cause traffic chaos along Derry Road. Maybe right now but when those homes south of Derry and Tremaine Road are built, there will be traffic chaos and congestion.

When homeowners who live in this new development have to go grocery shopping, their choices are rather limited. They can go to the old A&P (reopening soon I believe under Food Basics), the soon to be old Loblaws (reopening as a Price Chopper I believe), the new superstore at Thompson and Main, Food Port at Derry and 25 or the new A&P south of Derry on Thompson.

Notice where all of these stores are located…in the eastern part of town. How will these people get to the stores on the traditional days of shopping on the weekend? Derry Road. They will have to travel east on Derry, past the hospital towards the centre and eastern part of town.

Consider the number of homes being built in that new area. Thousands really. And all of them with no place to shop for groceries other than the central and eastern section of town. Granted Derry Road has now been widened to accommodate the increased amount of traffic, but by not having something at the west end, you will be forcing Milton residents to have to drive out there for food.

The same arguments were made when the new A&P was being proposed a few years ago. More traffic, congestion around the area, cars idling and commuter chaos. None of that has happened. The way it was designed cars can easily enter and leave the mall where all these stores are located. If designed properly it wont be much of a problem.

The argument that it will negatively affect the downtown core doesn’t hold much weight as far as I’m concerned. If anything, not having a grocery centre near the west side might force residents to go up Bronte Street and turn down Main Street to get to the other shopping centres to avoid possible traffic along Derry Road. This is much worse as it will increase the amount of traffic in the downtown core, of which its NOT designed for heavy traffic. People will barely notice the stores along the Main Street corridor like Mikes Barber Shop, Jay’s Ice Cream, the Post Office, the art gallery, and other stores like Main Street Yarns. Many people go to the downtown core because of its ease of being able to walk. With more vehicles driving through, it will make things like crossing the street more of a chore. What happens after that? They simply will not continue to go.

This isn’t taking into consideration the Farmers Market, which is one of Milton’s cherished jewels. If someone has to commute across town using Main Street to get to where the Milton Mall is, the Farmers Market (albeit only during the morning hours) will cause even more commuting problems.

The decision by council to stop this development is very short sighted in my opinion. The town is growing by leaps and bounds, and it seems theres no end in sight. Hundreds of homes are breaking ground as we speak with many more to come in the next few years. We as a town have to be able to accommodate them, to be able to design this town where people DON’T have to cross it to get groceries.

This decision by council will be opposed by the developers and the Town of Milton will end up at the OMB defending this decision under appeal. We shouldn’t be afraid of the OMB by any means, but we need to be able to see past the next 3 years and look 30 years into where we are going to be.

I don’t think its a done deal by any means.

http://www.miltoncanadianchampion.com/news/article/88667

Shopping centre bid gets rejected
Council’s decision met favourably
By Melanie Hennessey
Apr 27, 2007


Town council received a round of applause Monday evening after turning down a shopping centre proposed for the northwest corner of Bronte Street and Derry Road.

In a 6-3 vote, council said no to making an Official Plan amendment for First Capital’s development that would’ve contained a Sobeys store and commercial, retail and restaurant uses on the west-end property.

A group of residents and local developers have long been opposing the plans. Council heard from them, along with people who favour the project, at its session this week before voting the proposal down.

Maggie Lizzi of La Rose Bakery on Bronte Street said she thinks the development wouldn’t give people who are new to town a fair chance to come and explore her family business.

“I’m not in favour of this project,” she said. “I also think it would impact the (business) people on Main Street.”

DEVELOPER DEFENDS PLANS

But First Capital’s representative Patrick Devine pointed to a market impact study that said the development won’t have a negative impact on the planned function of the central business district.

He urged council to adopt the Official Plan amendment for the First Capital site.
Marla Marnoch of the Bronte Meadows Neighbourhood Group also spoke to council to once again ask for them to turn down the development.

“The First Capital location is inappropriate,” she said, noting that Milton District Hospital and a fire station are both nearby. “Obviously the need for quick access of emergency vehicles has to be considered.”

In addition, she argued the shopping centre would cause “congestion and traffic chaos” along Derry Road.

Also speaking against the proposal was lawyer Gerald Swinkin on behalf of Manaman Inc., which owns nearby property at the corner of First Line and Louis St. Laurent and intends to build a commercial development there.

Like last time he appeared before council, he suggested First Capital change its name to ‘First Cannonball’, since he thinks the proposal will blow a hole in the commercial plans already made for the town.

Wrapping up the delegations was local resident Bill Walker from the Bronte Meadows area, speaking on behalf of himself and his neighbours.

He said they’re in favour of the development, noting the southwest quadrant of town needs a full-serve grocery store. Walker also pointed out that with the housing development planned for the west end, it makes sense to eliminate traffic traveling across town to shop.

Council members then went on to express their thoughts on the proposal.

Wards 2 and 4 Councillor Colin Best expressed concern about the fact the town is rapidly running out of serviced employment land, which is what the First Capital site is designated for.
“People who live here have to work outside the community,” he noted. “I think we’re selling ourselves short.”

But Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray argued the preferred place for employment uses is around the 400-series highways. She said she supports the Official Plan amendment because she has heard people say they want a grocery store on the west side of town.

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Scherer said he thinks the development would affect downtown businesses and create traffic congestion in the Derry Road/Bronte Street area.

Fellow Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau concurred that the retail centre would have a detrimental affect on the central business area.

On the flip side, Ward 3 Councillor Cindy Lunau said she feels the development could actually help anchor the town’s core, since the downtown area doesn’t offer a food store but First Capital would. “I believe this is actually something that will serve the
downtown. We can’t afford to have the population drive out of town for one more day than necessary (to shop).”

Wards 1 and 3 Councillor Barry Lee shared similar sentiments, noting a shopping centre in the west end could get more of the rural community into town to shop, in turn helping the downtown stores.

When the vote was called, Lee, Lunau and Mowbray favoured the development while Scherer, Ward 1 Councillor Brian Penman, Ward 2 Councillor Mike Boughton, Schau, Best and Mayor Gord Krantz voted against it.

Council went on to approve an Official Plan amendment regarding the Town’s retail commercial demand study, which recommends where new shopping space should and shouldn’t be located in Milton.

The study — along with Town staff — recommended against accommodating First Capital’s proposal, but it was pursued further and reached Monday night’s meeting based on the direction of the previous council.

The amendment makes way for several developments, including an expansion of the Crossroads Shopping Centre and a commercial development in Milton Heights near the corner of Third
Sideroad and the realigned Tremaine Road.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.