Residents urge council to stick with its plan

Caledon council voted last week to conduct municipal business as usual, in the face of a possible massive lawsuit that Solmar Development Corporation might launch.

And councillors learned Tuesday night that's just fine with a lot of their constituents.

An overflow crowd required extra rooms being opened up in the Town Hall to accommodate everyone (estimates were the crowd was in excess of 200), and they heard from numerous deputants who praised council for holding to its course.

Solmar has threatened that it would commence a $500 million lawsuit if certain conditions were not me, but council last Wednesday accepted a staff recommendation to "to continue with municipal business as usual."

Support came from Our Caledon, Our Choice, a group of residents and business people who recently joined together to encourage council to resist pressures to amend the official plans to adjust the population growth figures for Bolton.

Rob Mezzapelli, co-chair of the group, stressed the population figures in the Official Plan were the result of "a fully democratic, transparent, open and inclusive process," which he said fulfills Caledon's obligation to conform to the Provincial Places to Grow Act.

"The equation to achieve business prosperity is a complex one, relying on much more than mere population," Mezzapelli added. "If this were the case, Bolton's population explosion in years past should mean economic security for years to come."

He said there are other factors impacting the business climate in Bolton, including fuel costs, the slumping American economy, the strong Canadian dollar, etc.

"Intensification and infilling, if done responsibly, is a sound growth strategy," he declared. "This approach would allow less expensive housing for young people just starting out and older residents who wish to remain in Bolton."

As well, Mezzapelli reminded council that the population figures were endorsed in August 2006 and November 2007, and these figures were base on planning studies conducted by experts.

Mezzapelli also told Councillor Jason Payne the group believes in supporting the local economy, and would like to encourage more people to shop and entertain locally.

Karen Hutchinson, executive director of the Caledon Countryside Alliance, was at the meeting armed with the results of a survey the group commissioned, which indicated overwhelming support for maintaining the size of Caledon and preventing it from being overdeveloped.

She added support was consistent all over town. In Ward 5 (Bolton), 84.1 per cent of respondents said they wanted Caledon to remain a small town, with a population around 100,000, and that was the lowest figure of support from the five wards. The figures from Ward 3 (Caledon East) were the highest, at 93.5 per cent.

She also said when asked if municipal officials should resist development pressures to keep Caledon a small town, an average of 85 per cent of Caledon residents agreed, with Ward 5 again having the lowest figure at 80.3 per cent.

"That's democracy speaking," she declared.

The survey was conducted last month by Oraclepoll Research.

"The survey results reconfirm our understanding of Caledon residents," Hutchinson said. "With Caledon's natural and cultural heritage, we have a head start when it comes to environmentally friendly attitudes, but we also have a lot of hard working people who really care about what happens in the world."

Peter Orphanos, chair of the Sierra Club of Canada (Peel Region group), stressed the importance of following the democratic process, adding if people don't like the way things are being done in the municipality, they will have the chance to do something about it in 2010.

"Council has been following the process appropriately," he said, adding the decisions regarding the population figures have been fair and democratic.

"The debate is over," he declared. "It's time to come together for the good of Caledon."

"We believe Caledon council has made the best decision possible," he added, stating it's supported controlled development and set reasonable timelines, while resisting pressures of unbridled development.

Lillie Ann Morris, speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, also had words of support.

"We encourage you to remain steadfast," she said, adding the actions of this council are being watched by residents and municipal leaders all over the province.

"Planning decisions in one area of Caledon impact on all Caledon taxpayers," Morris said. "Good community planning happens when goals and targets are set in place in the Official Plan, considering the whole picture so everyone can move forward, working from the same page."

Debbe Crandall, executive director of Save The Oak Ridges Moraine (STORM), stated the actions of council are "testimony to what good local government could and should do."

Payne told Crandall he hoped she would be on side when the growth pressures are felt north of Columbia Way. "I hope you will be at the table when that happens," he said.

Palgrave resident Kay MacDuffee, a board member of Green Tea, said the population figures, spelled out in Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 203, were the result of a "well researched and well thought-out plan."

"We applaud council," she said. "We want you to know this community shares your values."

In outlining what's to happen next, Morrison told the audience council has considered the population figures a number of times. "From our perspective, the population issue has been dealt with, and should not be reopened.

She added Caledon is getting support from municipalities all over the Greater Toronto Area. "They feel they are the next victims," she said. "They are very, very concerned about this situation.

Several councillors expressed appreciation for the public support shown Tuesday, but Whitehead stressed that support has to continue. "Don't go home and think the job is done," he urged, pointing out there will be other meetings dealing with these matters and the public voice needs to be heard at those session too.

Councillor Allan Thompson told the audience the Town has been receiving support from developers too, urging them to stay the course and telling

councillors they are doing the right thing. crown