This is a follow-up to Permanent Link to Derry Scott Asking for Variances.  I spent some time going over the proposed site plan. I also spoke with the developer and the consultant, and went to see the site.  Finally, I drove back n’ forth on Derry and Scott to try to envision the plaza all built.

At this point I am satisfied provided that the developer adds some additional landscaping (especially trees).  I will work with the site approver to push for that. 

Breakdown:
It’ll still have enough parking spots.  Though the setback is reduced, it has pond at the back (I know, it seems like pond is on the side but apparently that’s the back).  Loading bay door is partially screened by the TD Bank building.  It has an acoustic fence next to it that should screen it from Derry.

Personally I would’ve preferred no loading dock at all since they are not planning for a restaurant, but apparently it’s required. 

I appreciate all the time several folks spent on the phone and e-mail with me. 

One of the items in tomorrow’s Committee of Adjustment meeting is an application from Derry Scott development (northwest plaza) to:

• Put 14 fewer parking spots than required
• Reduce the rear yard setback by 50% (building will be closer to homes)
• Bring parking area closer to buildings
• Put loading bay door facing the street without having to screen it (right now loading docks are not allowed to face the street, unless they are screened)
• No designated loading area for one of the buildings
• Increase allowed square footage

Basically they want to have more square footage with reduced parking and fewer urban design requirements.  Where do people park if there are not enough parking spaces?  Do people want to see loading bay doors from the street?  What about the minimum setback? 

We should be raising minimum requirements from commercial developers, not reducing them. 

(Shameless plug: this is why it is so important to have councillors from your own areas, precisely why Milton divided itself into different ‘wards’.  That way councillors have a vested interest in working for their own neighbourhoods.  I really do work for all of us, even though I am not in the Council yet).

All municipalities in Ontario must go through an Official Plan Review once every 5 years.  Milton is going through its review right now.  There is a public open house on April 28th and a special council public meeting on May 10th. 

You can find the official plan here.  If you have any comments then please bring them up. You can send them to me and I will present them on the 10th. You can also send written comments prior to May 14th directly to Angela Janzen, the senior planner at the Planning & Development Department.

I will create a summary of the official plan as well. If you would like me to send it to you then please e-mail me your contact information.  I would rather not post it here publically because even a summary of a 400+ pages document will be fairly large.  A little over 200 people regularly read this blog and I doubt they are all interested in reading the summary. 

Official Plans have a huge impact in shaping towns and cities. That in turn will have an impact on your property values. So there, you actually have a financial incentive :).

Milton Education Village has an open house today at 6:00pm at the Town Hall.

It is extremely important for people in Ward 8.  See what happened in Oshawa: there aren’t enough residences for students. Despite by-laws prohibiting it, people rent their homes to 5-10 students.  That, for various reasons (parties, parking issues, garbage, poor maintenance by students) has completely crashed property values.  You can read a little about in Toronto Star’s article here.  The situation is so bad that people want to sell their homes and move out but no one wants to buy a house there.

This proposed education village is in Ward 8, where Mattamy’s HVE, Milton Trails and Heathwood Homes communities are.  You can get more information on the town’s website.  This is one reason why it is so important to elect someone who actually lives in ward 8.  My property values are tied to yours (since I live here). I will  make sure that a presence of university next door enhances our property values and quality of life instead of degrading it like what happened in Oshawa. 

I will be there. If you see me then please come introduce yourself. 

Milton will be holding its second Doors Open event on Saturday, May 29, 2010. This event showcases Milton’s unique heritage and natural resources and it offers access to a number of sites that are not normally open to the public. There is no charge for visiting any of the sites included on the tour. For details, visit the Doors Open Milton website (site seems out of date though).

http://doorsopenmilton.ca/default.aspx

I was the guest blogger this week for the Canadian Family Magazine’s Family Jewel blog.  Here are my posts from my non-politician-wanna-be humourous side. All of these stores are completely true, the last one actually took place yesterday.  Enjoy :)

• How Going Back to Childbirth Helps Keep Me Sane
• The Bad Guy Who Came to the House and Put Water Everywhere
• The Struggle to Get the Kids to Bed. Every. Single. Night.
• Kids in Bed by 6:30? Disney World IS the Most Magical Place on Earth
• Do You Play Guitar? Do You Wear Cool Clothes? Are You Spiderman? No? Then You’re Not Cool

Back in the 17th century the French economy was at the brick of bankruptcy.  Instead of following convention, Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the French minister of finance, came up with the idea of focusing on ultra-luxury goods to balance the trade.  That is the reason why so many ultra-luxury products are from France.

The lesson is that he came up with a unique solution to a problem most economies have gone through.  In the process, he gave his economy a unique character, distinct from all other economies around his. 

Milton today faces its own challenges of extreme growth and a quickly eroding identity.  Do we need our own Colbert to help Milton maintain and further enhance its unique identity even as it turns into a midsize city of 200,000+ people? 

As I knock on doors I have been pleasantly surprised by how many looks of recognition and words of support I get.  Someone actually thanked me for fixing an issue I did not fix.  “It wasn’t me”, I clarified.  “Oh”, he added, “they just came and fixed it so I thought you had something to do with it”. 

I am grateful for your support and am honoured to be a part of this community.  It’s more tight-knit than people realize.  I’ll take a break from meeting people and will hang out at different village squares with my kids.  If you see me then come say hi. 

[Aside: someone asked about my opponent. His name is Jeff Belo and he lives close to Thompson.  He doesn’t have a website as far as I can tell].

I was at the Town Hall for a meeting when I noticed a board for Parks Public Info session.  Design concepts will be there for these parks:

• Coates Neighbourhood Park South
• Harrison Neighbourhood Park
• Scott Neighbourhood Parks (both of them)
• Community Park
• Jaycee Trail (by Mill Pond)
• Brian Best Park

For those who don’t know, Harrison Neighbourhood Park and one of the Scott Neighbourhood Parks will include nice splash pads. They are loads of fun.  Oh and my kids enjoy them too.

Please visit this link for more information.