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05 20 1992 Public Minutes 7:05 THB CORPORATION 01' THB TOWNSHIP 01' ORO SPBCIAL PUBLIC MBBTING WBDNBSDAY. KAY 20,1992 (t 7:05 P.M. - COUNCIL CBAKBBRS THIRTIBTH MBBTING 1991-1994 COUNCIL The following members of Council were present: II Reeve Robert E. Drury Deputy Reeve David Caldwell Councillor Alastair Crawford Councillor Joanne Crokam Councillor Leonard Mortson Also Present Were: Mr. Bryan MacKell, Ms. Bev. Agar, R. Laws, Mr. John Lynch, Mr. Bruce Thomas, Mr. Maurice Lightowler, Mr. Frank Whibley, Ms. Sharon spinney, Mr Jack Gilhooly, Mr. Tom Bell, Mr. Ross Tudhope, Mr. Cliff Richards, Ms. Ruth Tudhope, Ms. Jean MacKie, Mr. Gord MacKie, Mrs. shirley Woodrow, Mr. Ala Wayne, W. Allison, R. Andrews, Mr. Allan Ironside, Mr. Brian Burnie, R.A Nicholson, D.R. Longstaffe, M.K. Stephen, Mr. Harry Speed, Mr. James Jefferies, Mr. Robert McClevis, Mr. Cliff Lewis, Mr. Stephen King, Mr. Donald R. MacDonald, Ms. Diane Meitz, Mr. Conrad Boffo, and One Member of the Press. Reeve Robert E. Drury chaired the meeting. Reeve Robert E. Drury opened the meeting by explaining to those present that this Public Meeting was to receive public comments wit respect to a proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendments, under sections 17 and 34 of the Planning Act, 1983. The applicant has applied to redesignate and rezone certain lands described as East Half Lot 1 and Part of Lot 2, Concession 11, (Orillia Golf and Country Club). The proposed application is also being considered for Temporary Use. II To date, the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Oro have not made a decision on this application, other than proceeding to this Public Meeting. Only after comments are received from the Public, requested agencies and Township Staff, within the appropriate time period, will Council make a decision on this application. Notice of the Public Meeting was mailed out on April 30, 1992, to all property owners within 400 feet of the subject lands. Notice of the Public Meeting was also placed in both the Barrie Examiner and the Orillia Packet on April 30, 1992. Reeve Robert E. Drury then asked the Clerk if there had been any correspondence received on this matter. The Clerk responded by indicating that one letter had been received from G.L. & J.L. Mackie, adjoining property owners, in support of the application. The Reeve then stated that those persons present would be afforded the opportunity of asking questions with respect to the proposed Amendments. He then turned the meeting over to the Township Planner, Ms. Kris Menzies, to explain the purpose and effect of the proposed Official Plan and Zoning By-Law Amendments. II - 3 - Bryan MacKell: This golf course has evolved over the last twenty-five years. The previous owner started it as a private concern with Mr. Whibley acquiring the property in the late 70's. He refined the Golf Course, finishe it off and has had it opened to the paying and playing public for the last 9 or 10 years. We will past out copies of air photos obtained from the Ministry of Natural Resources. The first one dated 1978 which clearly shows on the bottom lef hand corner the development of the Golf Course. Further, we have a copy of an air photo dated 1989, once again from the Ministry of Natural Resources which does show the completed facility. We have circulated the proposal and the intent to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministr of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. To date, we have ha written comments returned to us from the Ministry of Natural Resources and I believ comments were also sent to your Clerk. In briefly describing their comments, their only concern is that only any new permanen structures that are going to be developed on the site, be set back a minimum of 30 metres from any water course on the site. At this point in time there is no plans fo any new structures to be built. We did no receive comments from the Ministry of Natural Resources, nor did we receive comments from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. We have Miss. Beverley Agar here with us this evening. She is a professional hydrogeologist and had submitted to us at an earlier date, her opinion on the viability of this property as an Agricultural Resource. Bev Agar: I was retained in late February 1992, to take a first look at the site and draw up letter as to my professional opinion as to whether this would be an appropriate site for a Golf Course to be located. What I basically go through when I draw up one of these letters is the same steps that I wen through when I was with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. I took a look at th Agriculture feasibility of the land, whether there is going to be an impact either on the Agriculture land or the Agriculture community that may be around that property. There is not a lot of Agriculture near or around this property. The nearest barn is located near Jarratt. Having done a live stock survey, I was aware that there wasn't any live stock and that the property is used for pasture. However, I did a minimum distance separation and it would be approximately 1,055 feet separation. There is approximately 1,500 feet between that barn and the edge of the property. l. - 4 - Bev Agar: The other surrounding land uses, we have Beards Farm Supply across the road, we hav a number of residential uses and the lands to the south are not being used as Agriculture to my knowledge. The nearest active barn that I am aware of is located to the South-West, quite some distance, an exotic animal operation which involves som wild boars, red deer, peacock, a number of wild animals and is removed by about one mile. The Agriculture capability of the site, we have some very poorly drained soil down where the water courses are. It shows it as a Class 2 with a fertility problem. In this area you are more likely to run into excess water restriction. Much of the soi through here would be water logged a good portion of the year. The rest of the property tends to have topography limitations. My conclusion in looking at all of this was that as a professional hydrogeologist, I have no difficulty supporting the idea and would be confident of Agriculture justification that may be required by the Ministry of Agriculture an Food could be satisfied quite easily. Bryan MacKell: I would like to share with you also one or two other drawings. (Mr. MacKell showed a detailed blowup of the proposed club house area, the existing trailer, the first tee and the tenth tee, ninth green and eighteenth green.) I think we are looking at dramatic improvements to this particula course. In conclusion, given the comments from Miss Agar, given the comments from th Ministry of Natural Resources and the review of your planning documents, it woul certainly support the redesignation of the property from the Agriculture to the Recreational Designation along with the accompanying zoning By-Law. In the interim, we would ask Council to give consideration to the passage of a Temporar Use By-Law in order to facilitate the development of the pro shop facility on th property. Robert McClevis: I have a short presentation if I may make it. I have been asked to speak on behalf of the golfers and duffers who are Season' Pass holders of the Orillia Golf and Country Club. Firstly, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Robert McClevis and I reside at 417 Dale Drive in Orillia. I was on the Orillia Township Council working with Bill Calverly and Deputy Reeve Bill Gowenlock some years ago, and was involved with many planning situations. I've been a pass holder of this golf course for three years I have lived in Orillia for 37 years and worked for ontario Hydro which provided th opportunity to travel throughout all þ - 5 - Robert McClevis: townships surrounding Orillia. I know Oro Township Countryside very well and have seen many changes. It is my understanding that this meeting tonight is to receive comments, both negative and positive, as to the proposed zoning requested by the Orillia Golf and Country Club. Firstly, using the A.R.D.A. (Agricultural and Rural Development Act) the soil capability is classified as it relates to agriculture. One can ask how do other gol courses fit into the soil classifications compared to the Orillia Course. Remember, the land is rated from 1 to 10, the higher the number the less suitable the land is for Agriculture. soil Type Bonaire Golf and Country Club Lake st. George Hawke Ridge Treahaven Barrie Golf and Country Club Orillia Golf and Country Club 3 & 4 3 & 4 6 2 & 3 2 & 3 7 & 4 The land along the highway has the 4 classification, the remainder is designate a 7. As you are aware, Orillia and Area has bee designated as Recreational by the Provincial Planning Board. This designation encourages recreational facilities and sports complexes to be developed. Some sports require special facilities which are supported by public funds throug taxes. These facilities are rinks, ball diamonds, parks, boat ramps and swimming areas. There might be others. Only in large centres has the municipality had funds through imposed fees to construc and maintain a golf course. The Cost to develop a municipal golf course would be i the millions and therefore the public sector is encouraged to develop these facilities. In this part of Ontario, golf courses have been developed and maintained by individuals who in turn pay taxes. These courses provide citizens and neighbours with facilities to play golf an enjoy the outdoors. Employment opportunities are also made available for regular and summer students. Changing the zoning to Recreational Open Space to accommodate this golf course is like setting aside a precious piece of Oro country side to be protected from development. It would be wrong to maintai it as Rural Agricultural because there are not sufficient restrictions on this , . . Robert McClevis: Donald R. MacDonald: Reeve Drury: - 6 - designation. For instance, there are fields which have had the top soil scrappe off, which left the field totally non- productive and in turn, increases erosion. I know of hard maple bushes which were cleared and the wood sold for fire wood. These are only two concerns I have about land zoned Rural Agricultural. The Orillia Golf and Country Club is considered by me and my fellow golfers as haven for wildlife and a fabulous recreational facility which should be protected for the future. Approving the zoning change as requested will ensure tha a small part of Oro Township is kept in tact for families who are sports minded an love the outdoors. Recreational Open Spac is the proper and only designation for thi prestigious part of Oro Township. I thank you very much for the opportunity to speak with you tonight. I also have approximately one hundred signatures encouraging that the change be approved. (Copy of petition of signatures filed with the Township Office.) This golf course some how has slipped through the planning process. Now the course is in place, being utilized, we hav this Public Meeting which is basically afterwards; it becomes a mockery of the planning process within ontario. To put a temporary use on it, is also a mockery. I may quite well be appropriate for a golf course for this particular land. However, I have requested that you put a cease use order on it until it does receive the appropriate Ministerial approval under section 66 of the Planning Act. It states that on first conviction of fine, not more than $20,000. for continuing to contravene the By-Law. (Read from section 66 of the Planning Act.) I am opposed to a Temporar Use By-Law, other than that it may well be appropriate. What about the surrounding property uses? I have to question Bev Agar's submission on Agricultural land surrounding. I do not think I will be objecting to the O.M.B. or requesting a referral or referral of the proposed zoning, however, with what you have said tonight, I may have to rethink that. What about the wetland area? This is once agai a pre site destruction before the proposal is brought before Council. It is after th fact. It is a mockery of the process. It was in Huronia Sunday that one of the owners stated that they could have a hundred golfers here at this meeting supposedly. Sir, I think we have your point loud and clear that you are not in favour of this proposal. If you wish to submit it in writing, Council will consider it before passing a by-law. . . (, . .í - 7 - Donald R. MacDonald: A Lynch Mob! This Country has rules and regulations and I submit that you should abide by those under the Planning Act. John Lynch: My self, my wife and our lynch mob live across the road from the parcel of land being discussed here this evening. I simply want to indicate my support in favour of the proposed changes. I see the course as a response to a very worthwhile recreational need. I also see that parcel of land, in my opinion, improving and developing and I think that is a very positive thing. I would suggest also that this type of development is something that obviously fits in very well with that natural landscape in that area. If we wer here tonight to speak about a development that was going to include twenty-five or thirty homes or something of that nature, might feel very differently about it. A responsible owner, developing this propert in a very responsible manner, so in that sense, the lynch mob and myself would like to support the proposal. Reeve Drury: I would just like to state that basically the municipality is looking at this as a housekeeping item to bring everything in order with our By-Laws and Official Plan. Conrad Boffo: Can anyone from outside this Township come in here and object. Reeve Drury: Yes, anyone in Canada. There being no further questions or comments, the Reeve in closing the meeting, thanked those in attendance for their participation an advised that Council would consider all matters before reaching a decision. He then advised those present that if they wished to be notified of the passing of the proposed By-law, they should leave their name and address with the Clerk. MOTION NO.1 Moved by Caldwell, seconded by Crokam Be it resolved that this Special Public Meeting (Orillia Golf and Country Club, East Half Lot 1 and Part Lot 2, Concession 11) now be adjourned @ 7:37 p.m. Carried r DRURY