Differences expressed for development proposal
By ALAN LICZYK Staff Reporter

A proposal by a developer to build more housing in the south Albion- Bolton area is sparking different opinions in the debate.

Caledon council heard from a few delegations on the matter last Tuesday.

Speaking against the proposal by Solmar to add 27,000 more people to the south Albion-Bolton area was Wildfield resident Dan O'Reilly.

He urged council not to give in to the "bullying tactics" of Solmar and its ally, the Caledon Chamber of Commerce, by endorsing the proposed redevelopment of the Mayfield Road, Healey Road, Coleraine Drive and The Gore Road area.

"What an outrageous, ridiculous proposal," he said. "It would double the size of Bolton's current population, gobble up more farmland, push already overburdened services over the breaking point and generate more traffic mayhem and chaos on local roads."

He added Bolton needs a rest from the ceaseless development that first started in the early 1970s.

"We are always trying to catch up with the last development onslaught when the next one starts," he said.

O'Reilly complained his way of life will be destroyed by this development proposal. He will never agree to his property being redeveloped.

He was particularly distressed by the "unholy alliance" the Caledon Chamber of Commerce has forged with Solmar.

"In its argument this development is necessary for businesses to thrive, the Chamber has abandoned any sense of civic responsibility," he said.

Caledon's Official Plan Amendment 203 will only permit 1,500 more people in Bolton until 2021. The Chamber has asked council to revisit the population numbers contained in OPA 203. A staff report addressing OPA 203 will be coming to the Nov. 6 council meeting.

Bolton resident Rose D'Arpino told council she believes the Solmar proposal should be approved.

"The stability of Caledon is the issue," she said.

She noted the provincial government has mandated growth and she believes Bolton can handle more growth.

She questioned why can't the Town co-operate with developers. She doesn't want to see the community planned by the Ontario Municipal Board.

She argued the Town needs money from development charges to invest in two 100-acre parks for recreation the mayor has promised in her election campaigns.

Augusto Di Bernardo, speaking on behalf of the Duffy's Lane and King Street Landowners Group, asked council to include their six properties in the South Albion-Bolton Community Plan.

He suggested moving the boundary to the greenbelt now, not in 2021.

Councillor Richard Whitehead said municipal services are just across the street from these properties and these people want to be in the urban community. He recommended the Town pick up this acreage and allow it to develop as part of Bolton.