473 Market Street.

Hub Staff

Zoning By-law Amendment Z-28- 16.46 was passed in a 7 to 2 vote during the September 12 Saugeen Shores Council meeting that would see the property, 473 Market Street’s surplus lands east and west of an existing fourplex be severed to accommodate two new single-storey residential building lots on either side of the fourplex.

The once purposed application became a contentious issue as neighbours, 18 in all, disapproved of the development, made sure their voices were heard at three Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings, and were out in full force at the September 12 council meeting.

During the open forum 473 Market Street homeowner Debora Donkersgoed, with husband Jerry by her side, addressed Saugeen Shores Council. Donkersgoed said they bought the property nine years ago and were told that they could sever off two lots, one to sell or rent and the other would be their retirement home.

“We are not big developers, we are not bullies, the old fourplex is not an estate property, it’s an old farm house. The town approved 40 foot lots a long time ago,” Donkersgoed said.

She continued, “as for us profiting from this, we paid a lot of money for this property and have been investing our money and fixing up the fourplex. We don't think it’s a crime if we make a little profit from this property. We know it’s hard for some to see change, but seriously, do they really think, looking at the property now, does anything for the neighbourhood?”

Family friend John Sajkunovic took the next spot in the Open Forum to address his feeling on the subject to council.

“Mr. and Mrs. Donkersgoed have bent over backwards to satisfy the neighbours. They have scaled down their proposal for single family dwellings, as opposed to duplexes, even though the Province of Ontario’s best by-laws encourage this kind of development,” Sajkunovic said.

Neighbour Richard Deveraux spoke on behalf of the displeased neighbour group. During his deputation he queried if council really wants 40 foot lots to become the norm, asking, do we really want to encourage property owners to begin severing their lots to squeeze in an additional building? Do we really want our slice of small-town Ontario to take on more of a big-city look as far as density is concerned? And should the profit-motive of one property owner trump the concerns and character of an entire neighbourhood?

He also said that through three PAC meetings there had been multiple plans provided. “Invariably, the plans have been vague and the drawings provided have been lacking in detail,” said Deveraux.

Following Deveraux’s deposition, PAC member Vice Deputy Mayor Diane Huber acknowledged Deveraux and the other concerned neighbours in the audience - approximately eight to 10 - who have been out at every planning meeting. “In your deputation you talk about how it’s been a little bit confusing and I would agree with you on that, but I did just want to acknowledge that there was very good representation on behalf of the neighbourhood at each and every meeting that this application was discussed. So I thank you for coming tonight and speaking the way you did.”

In a Committee Report to council, Senior Planner for the Town of Saugeen Shores Planning and Development Departments, County of Bruce, Leah Barrie explained that as per public concern the plans had changed from a two duplexes being built, to two single dwelling homes.

She provided background information from three public PAC meetings. An excerpt from the Committee Report reads as follows:

1. June 9, 2016: PAC holds statutory Public Meeting to provide information about the Zoning By-law Amendment application, and to obtain public and PAC comments

2. July 7, 2016: PAC holds follow-up community meeting to present a revised site plan in response to public and PAC concerns
a. Improvements made to fourplex parking area and access to Market Street
b. Enhanced landscaping provisions added to screen fourplex parking area
c. Increased front yard setback added for new duplex dwellings to uphold character
d. Relocated duplex dwelling parking to rear yard

3. September 1, 2016: PAC holds second community meeting to present modified application in response to public and PAC concerns

a. Application has replaced proposed duplex dwellings with single detached dwellings
b. Site-specific relief previously needed has been substantially minimized
In the report’s conclusion, Barrie stated that the implemented zoning by-law addressed staff, public and PAC concerns regarding safety, access, density, and character. And that the modified application strikes a balance between the objectives of the various stakeholders, upholds the public welfare, and represents good land use planning.

It was then stated that the unhappy Market Street residents could follow Council’s decision with an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.

Member of PAC, Councillor Mike Myatt, who later voted for the zoning by-law said that you can see homes of all sizes on Market Street. “This is infilling and keeping with our official plan, these two lots being considered for single family dwelling units are contributing towards us reaching our intensification targets,” Myatt said. He later added that in his view they did listen and changed the original options submitted.

Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau, who also approved the zoning by-law, said, “I think that as we head down this road you ultimately see more of these intensification projects happening." He alluded that intensification is an alternative to building on natural lands, and that it goes along with policy mandated by the the province. “This is the path that we're heading down on a macro scale, seeing more intensification in the urban areas of the municipality,” stated Charbonneau.

Councillor Cheryl Grace and Vice Deputy Mayor Diane Huber were the two votes against the Zoning Amendment.

Following the vote, the group of concerned neighbours left council chambers with Richard Deveraux poignantly pushing the chair in front of him out of the way as he flashes a “peace sign” to councillors. “This is just going to open-up a can of worms,” said Deveraux. “This infilling idea is going to make the lots of ‘olde town Port Elgin’ smaller and smaller.” When asked what the group’s next move was Deveraux wasn't certain but said they will see what their options were and go from there.

Conceptual drawing on the east lot.