The development proposed Chateaux of Caledon Corp on Caledon East continues to see changes, and those adjustments seem to be meeting with approval from some local residents.

Approximately 60 were at a meeting in the village Tuesday night, and while there are still concerns being expressed, dealing mainly with densities and availability of drinking water, a couple of residents who spoke in favour were applauded.

The company is still looking to develop about 500 homes of approximately 85 acres at Lot 21, Concession 1 in Albion. The site is at the northwest corner of Innis Lake and Old Church Roads, wrapping around the St. Cornelius Elementary School property.

Town planners reported the proposal also calls for a neighbourhood park, an open space and environmental policy area, town square component, stormwater management pond, live-work residential units and retail space. Planners said 7,000 square feet of retail space is being proposed, but architect John Beresford later said it is more like 6,000 square feet.

The proposal involves draft plans of subdivision and condominium, along with rezonings and amendments to the Town's Official Plan.

There have already been a number of public sessions on this issue, including a formal public information meeting in August. Planners said the public has raised a number of concerns, including proposed density, the need for enhancements to Innis Lake Road, traffic concerns in the subdivision and around the school, environmental issues, water outflow from George Crescent to the north, the need for good urban design principles to be reflected in the plan, provisions for adequate parking and the population allocation and how it will impact on other developments in the village.

The proposed park will be about two acres. Senior Development Planner Casey Blakely said the Caledon East Secondary Plan calls for a five-acre park. But in view of the amount of land the Town owns on the other side of Old Church Road (the Town Hall is across the road from the property), planners decided two acres is sufficient.

She also said the revised plans have been sent to the various commenting agencies, and planners are hoping to have a final report ready for council by Dec. 9.

Revisions are still being made to the plan, with the latest ones arriving at the Town Friday. Some of the changes made since the August meeting include a section of internal road on the east side of the development run- ning right next to and parallel to Innis Lake Road, with a similar stretch of window road in the west side of the property. There are also plans for a turning circle, or round-about at the main internal intersection, near the park.

Addressing concerns about the population numbers, Senior Policy Planner Kathie Kurtz put forth a report stating the Official Plan calls for a population in Caledon East of 6,400 in 2016 and 8,400 in 2021, based on 1991 calculations, made as the village secondary plan was being prepared and allowing for 3.15 people per residential unit (the average in Caledon, according to the 1996 census).

Her report concluded this development is not likely to have a great impact on population numbers in the village or impact on other landowners who might be interested in developing.

Planning consultant Paul King said the revisions have results in a slight drop in the number of single and link units proposed, from 328 to 326, plus the proposed townhouses. Frontages are to range from approximately 40 to 70 feet.

Addressing other proposed changes, he said the round-about will act as an intersection, while providing a traffic-calming feature. The main road on the subdivision curves from Old Church to Innis Lake Road, and the round-about is at about the mid point. He added it would be possible to consider some form of community feature at the circle.

He added the park abuts the school property.

He also pointed out a small block of land is to be set aside at the north end of the property to address drainage concerns with George Crescent. There will also be a five-metre landscaped buffer between the development and the homes on George.

King also stated all the single units would have two-car garages, plus driveways that can accommodate two cars. As well, there would be street parking. He likened the situation to the north hill of Bolton.

One resident of Innis Lake Road openly objected to the proposed densities, stating most residents of the area would agree they are too high and will change the environment of the community. He agreed there has to be some development, but suggested the matter be put to a local referendum. "Let the citizens have a voice here," he urged.

Blakely told him the public will be able to make deputations to council Dec. 9, and if people don't like the decision of council, that ruling can be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).

A woman living on Innis Lake was concerned about traffic issues, especially those involving the school, where she used to teach.

"Do I move to Toronto?" she demanded. "It's going to be worse than Toronto. It's disgusting!"

But there developers had some backers.

"This is a hell of an improvement from the last plan," one man remarked, although he did express concerns on whether there will be water available to handle the new residents.

Imran Motala, a supervisor in the water division of Peel Region Environment, Transportation and Planning Services, said the Region received permission from the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) earlier this year to take water to service 4,835 people in Caledon East, and they are working on an environmental assessment (EA) to find a new well for the area to deal with the ultimate population called for in the Official Plan. He added it will take about five years to get that well working.

He also told the audience that MOE imposes a demanding EA process before it lets more water get taken from the ground to make sure there are no negative impacts on residents or their existing private wells.

Kurtz added the enough water can be drawn to service this proposed development. She added the Official Plan states that no development can be approved unless there is both water and sewage capacity available to service it.

Some people wondered what would happen if the EA failed to find a place for a new well, but Motala said the indications are there's plenty of water in the area. "It's most likely that we'll find water," he said.

Another man supported the scale and size of the development, stressing it reflects numbers in the Official Plan, which were arrived at after a lot of work and public input.

Another woman commented that seniors and young families want a place to live in the village too, meaning there's demand for other that estate properties and large lots. "I think it's a good location," she remarked, pointing out it's not taking farm land out of production.