Public gets chance to comment servicing and development study
Public gets By Bill Rea

Work is continuing on the King City East functional servicing/development area study (FS/DAS), and the public recently received an update on the progress.

About 100 people were on hand for the session, held at King City Community Centre and Arena.

At the end, councillors received the input from the public, along with a report submitted by a group known as King City East landowners.

Township planners reported FS/DAS is part of the requirements of the King City community plan, and its terms of reference were approved in July 2004, after consultation with various agencies, including York Region, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Ministry of Natural Resources.

They added the group of landowners, who are also referred to as applicants on this matter, are property owners in the northeast and southeast quadrants of the village who have been working on the study, in consultation with the Township and other agencies. Although not all the property owners in that area are represented, planners said the group accounts for about 65 per cent of the study area.

There was a public information session on the matter last June, and planners said a number of concerns were raised, relating to such issues as traffic, the environment, gateways to the community, preservation of the Shift sculpture to the south of the village, preserving options for servicing connections to neighbouring properties, residential options for seniors, numbers and locations of parks and recreation facilities, commercial land base, drainage and water supply, loss of agricultural land, etc.

Local resident Barrie Moir, speaking on behalf of the King City Trails Committee, said it's time to highlight the trails in the village.

"Have each of the development companies involved in the new development areas of King City discussed with each other their plans to include trails?" he asked. "Perhaps you may have your individual ideas for some kind of walking trails, but the key is to tie together the trails so people can chose many different trail loops and not have certain trails reaching a dead end situation, which has happened in the past."

"The idea is to offer a never-ending loop of trails so people of different walking capabilities can choose short, intermediate or longer trail walks."

Donald Given, who was representing the property owners, commented they are very aware of the trail requirements, adding there have been meetings with representatives of the trail committee. There will be connections, he said.

"It looks real nice," commented local resident Brian Ridgway, who said he had heard talk about streetscapes, but not about water tables. "The water table was messed with 150 years ago when the rail came through," he commented, asking who would take responsibility if well levels drop or someone sinks in the swamp.

He also wondered who the developers really are, and if they're the same people who paved over Maple, using words like "streetscape" to justify it.

"That's certainly not going to happen here," Given declared, telling councillors the community plan sets out a definite pattern for growth. "You're not proposing Maple. You have to be very clear about that."

As far as wells are concerned, he said most people in the village will be on municipal water, but added there will be a program in place to deal with such problems.

Kettleby resident Bob Martin was concerned about trees, putting a jocular spin on things by pointing out if the adult population doubles, so with the number of dogs. He asked if sufficient attention has been paid to amenities for these canines. He also wondered if construction activity will damage the areas where trees are to be planted, pointing out it will take about 100 years to grow proper tree cover.

"There will be lots of trees," Given assured him.

Nobleton resident Nancy Hopkinson expressed interest in making sure the intent of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan is upheld, since all of the village is on the moraine.

She said the plan states major development is not allowed unless a water budget and conservation plan has been completed, and she said that has to address infiltration into the sewer systems

"Infiltration is water that leaks in through the joints in the sewer pipes, manholes and house laterals," she explained, pointing out King City is known to have a high water table. "Infiltration will typically be greater from low-lying areas with high water tables."

Hopkinson also pointed out the Township is the approval authority to make sure the provision of the moraine plan are adhered to. She remarked that the Township doesn't have a qualified hydrogeologist on staff.

"I am asking that King Township request the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's hydrogeologist to review the water budget as required by the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan," she declared. "I think this time, we should get it right."

Township Planning Director Stephen Kitchen told her the municipality already retains the services of a hydrogeologist, who is already working with TRCA.

Mayor Margaret Black added that protection of the water table is one of the reasons for this process. Kitchen said those matters will be addressed through the process.

There had also been questions raised about seniors' housing, and Kitchen explained two areas have been set aside for such m e d i u m - d e n s i t y development; one is on the north side of King Road, east of the local public school and the other on the south side near King Bible Church.

There had also been questions raised about having roundabouts at some intersections within developments. Given said the popularity of things like that are cyclical. one of the reasons they fall out of favour is they are tricky to get snowplows through. they also present problems for school buses.

"I'm not sure that's quite the way to go," he said, although he added if the Township wants them, they can be provided.

King City resident Joan Patterson asked about traffic calming ideas, suggesting if roundabouts are too small for school buses, then make them bigger.

She also was concerned about trail design, and how much longer they can rely on volunteers to maintain the trails.

Catherine Purcell, director of parks, recreation and culture for the Township, said staff works closely with the trail committee.