[thistleclub]

Expect an OMB showdown on Fruitland Winona secondary plan
(Stoney Creek News, Mike Pearson, Feb 19 2014)

Despite assurances that homeowners’ properties won’t be expropriated for parkland, the city should expect a showdown at the Ontario Municipal Board over the newly revised Fruitland Winona secondary plan.

During a Feb. 6 community meeting, Ward 11 councillor Brenda Johnson said she plans to introduce a motion at the April 15 planning committee meeting to prohibit the city from expropriating land to create a community park. City planning staff is also looking at reducing the height requirements for developments along Barton Street. It has already been reduced from six to four storeys.

But Cal DiFalco, chair of a now-dissolved community advisory committee, said the city is still attempting to force a wrong-headed plan on the community that will increase building densities, boost congestion, create higher traffic volumes, and have a negative impact on tender fruit farming.

If the new plan wins the support of Hamilton’s planning committee and city councillors, DiFalco plans to be among those who will challenge the document through an OMB appeal. DiFalco has unsuccessfully urged the city to return to a plan the committee initially endorsed in 2009.

DiFalco was among dozens of area residents who attended the open house and public information session for the secondary plan, held at Winona Vine Estates....

Fruitland Road residents have continued to oppose the secondary plan, arguing the proposed bypass from Barton to an unknown intersection on Highway 8 is wrong and should revert back to the 1992 plan that included dead-ending Fruitland Road.

On Feb. 28, the open house and public information centre feedback report will be posted on the city website. A staff report on the secondary plan will be released on March 31.

The plan will be presented for approval at an April 15 planning committee meeting and an April 23 council meeting.


Read it in full here.