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Summer 2020 Newsletter

 

Image: Weston Consulting

The Digital Hearing

On July 2nd, Weston participated in the first multi-platform digital hearing by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) after the release of their adjournment of the hearing, issued on March 24th, 2020 under the Provincial Emergency Order (O.Reg. 73/20). The suspension of all hearings ceased on June 30th, and our previously-scheduled hearing commenced on July 2nd through a part-digital, part-in-person hearing, which maintained physical distancing protocols and Planning Act requirements. The hearing was recorded via Zoom from Richmond Hill’s Council Chambers as well as overflow rooms, which facilitated the ability for the Tribunal members to hear live evidence, questioning and cross-examination. The Zoom livestream was also broadcasted via YouTube for other witnesses and parties to view the proceedings. The hearing took place over a 10-day period, with minimal technical issues from all parties involved.  

The subject matter of the hearing was the Yonge Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan and included the City of Richmond Hill, Region of York and various other Stakeholders as parties. Weston Consulting’s Ryan Guetter (pictured top left) provided expert planning evidence on behalf of our clients, Yonge MCD Inc., in support of the Council-approved modifications to the Secondary Plan. Phase 2 of this hearing is scheduled to take place in September 2020 to complete the proceedings.
 

Image: Studio JCI

New Cooksville Condominium

Weston Consulting, led by Associate Planner Martin Quarcoopome, represents Emblem Developments in their Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the City of Mississauga to re-designate and rezone their lands along Dundas Street East for high-density residential uses. These applications were required to facilitate the development of a 17-storey, mixed-use building comprised of 336 dwelling units and at-grade retail. The proposal will convey lands to the City for protection and restoration of the Cooksville Creek's ecological function. 
 
Weston and Emblem worked closely to address massing and transitional matters related to the surrounding lands. Ultimately, a design which met good planning and urban design principles was established. City staff presented their recommendation report to Mississauga’s Planning and Development Committee on July 13th, 2020 supporting the proposed development. A Council meeting is scheduled for August 5th for By-law Enactment. 
 

Image: RN Design

First Victory at the Tribunal

Michael Vani, a Senior Planner at Weston Consulting, was qualified as an expert witness for the first time by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) and provided evidence in support of the development proposal on April 9th, 2020 via teleconference. This evidence was in support of the development proposal for 16 three-storey townhouses and two single-detached dwellings, located at 2932-2942 Bayview Avenue. 

 
Michael’s evidence indicated that the development conforms to the hierarchy of applicable land use planning policy documents and meets the intent of both the applicable Bayview Avenue Study Guidelines and the City's Townhouse and Low-Rise Apartment Guidelines. 
 
The Tribunal authorized the necessary Zoning By-law Amendments and approved the related Site Plan Application, in principle. The final LPAT order will be withheld until the fulfillment of several implementing conditions have been satisfied. Since the hearing, an implementing site plan submission and coordination of the final by-laws have been undertaken to finalize the development approvals.
 
Weston worked in partnership with solicitors Chris Tanzola and Natalie Ast from Overland LLP and Mark Bristoll of OllieSwitch Project Management.  

Further information on the decision can be found on the LPAT website under case No.MM160016.

 

Image: Romanese Architect Inc. 

State of the Art Self-Storage Approved

A recent approval on Highway 27, just north of Highway 7, in Vaughan proposes to redevelop an existing used car dealership with outdoor vehicle storage into a new beautifully-designed, self-storage facility. The six-storey, two-phase building will have approximately 130,000 square feet of gross floor area within the new facility. The site will gain access from Highway 27 and be serviced by at-grade loading and parking. The proposed development was approved by Site Plan and Minor Variance applications within approximately 14 months. We look forward to seeing construction begin on this great addition to the Highway 27 streetscape.

Associate Planner, Sabrina Sgotto, was instrumental in securing this approval. 
 
Image: Weston Consulting
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New North Leslie Subdivision

Weston Consulting is the planning and design consultant for Devon Lane Construction Ltd. on an exciting project within the North Leslie Secondary Plan Area in Richmond Hill, at 11289 Bayview Avenue.  The project received Rezoning and Draft Plan of Subdivision approvals in June 2020 and proposes 164 semi-detached dwellings and condominium townhouse/stacked townhouse units. This development is comprised of a 1.3-hectare institutional block, a 0.6-hectare park block and trail system on pipeline lands, a stormwater management pond, and 5.3 hectares of Natural Heritage Features.    
 
The subdivision is mindfully planned to contribute towards the goals and objectives of building a complete community that emphasises sustainability and nurturing the Natural Heritage System in the area. Robert Walters, Associate, along with the landowner, and the sub-consultant team, worked with the City to achieve a project which fully implements Richmond Hill's Secondary Plan and Master Environmental Servicing Plan, which also conforms to the Provincial Greenbelt Plan and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan. 
 
Thank you to John Goodwin and Kayam Ramsewak from MTE Consultants for leading a virtual lunch and learn to Weston Consulting staff on the topic of stormwater management. 
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Weston Consulting Vaughan Office
905-738-8080
201 Millway Avenue, Suite 19
Vaughan, Ontario
 L4K 5K8

Weston Consulting Toronto Office
416-640-9917
268 Berkeley Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5A 2X5




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