Council vote could pit Town at OMB against its own planners

Posted March 18, 2013

At the height of last month's budget debate involving the issue to hire full-time firefighters, New Tecumseth mayor Mike MacEachern, and Ward 1 councillor Bob Marrs were most vocal in regards to supporting recommendations that come forward from the Town's senior administration.

The fact that a majority of councillors voted against the fire chief's recommendation was referred to at the time as a vote of non-confidence in his authority.

Tonight, New Tecumseth councillors, led by mayor MacEachern, if the same result follows from committee two weeks ago, will reject a development application that proposes to replace 60 estate lots, with 160 single detached homes, in the CW Leach Road area, north of the 14th Line. It would go against "the opinion that the proposal is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), conforms to the Growth Plan and County of Simcoe Official Plan, meets the intent and purpose of the Town of New Tecumseth Official Plan and represents good planning."

If the proponent appeals to the OMB, it would set up the prospect of council having to hire an outside planning consultant to defend against its own department's report.

Mayor MacEachern, and Ward 6 councillor Richard Norcross who moved the motion to deny the 160 lots, said they were against the proposal doing away with the estate homes as it was approved when they were both councillors together at the time.

The application which dates back to 1997, but has since changed hands, covers approximately 13.37 hectares (33.04 acres) in size, and is draft plan approved for the 60 estate homes. It is east of the Industrial Parkway, and north of the 14th Line and to the west of the planned expansion of the Briar Hill West. The Treetops (Belterra) development of approximately 1,900 homes, is underway, east of this proposal at 10 Sideroad at Conc. 14.

The amendment dates back to January 2010 that increased the plan to 160 single detached units with lots ranging from 10 to 13 metres plus corner lots and would create a density of 30.5 persons per hectare.

Residents in the Briar Hill community have expressed several concerns with the increased alotment related to impacts of traffic, and sidewalks along CW Leach Road. Ward 4 councillor Fran Sainsbury had asked councillors to defer a decision until at least May for when the "snowbirds" have returned and can take part in further debates.

However, Ms. Sainsbury is concerned that outright rejection now of the application leaves the Town in no position to affect changes if it is appealed to the OMB.

Mayor MacEachern, who is seemingly no longer answering directly to questions from Free Press Online, choosing instead to have Town staff reply, would not comment as to his rare opposition to a senior staff recommendation.

He told councillors, "Just because the OMB costs money, I don't think we should be sort of adverse."

The item is guaranteed to be pulled for separate discussion tonight to recognize a conflict of interest by Ward 2 councillor Jamie Smith. Mr. Smith, a lawyer in private practice, represents the original applicants who hold the mortgage on the property.

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