Residents unhappy with latest Seaton plans
October 23, 2008

PICKERING -- The terms of reference for the Seaton neighbourhood planning program were passed Monday night without debate.

The community of Seaton is expected to have about 70,000 residents in north Pickering and create 35,000 jobs.

The City is responsible for certain studies and plans, so they've been combined into the Seaton Neighbourhood Planning Program. The program includes identifying performance measures for a sustainable community and the completion of studies such as urban design guidelines and neighbourhood plans. The terms were debated in great length at a September Council meeting and were deferred to Monday's meeting, where two members of the public gave presentations in
opposition to the terms.

Ward 1 City Councillor Jennifer O'Connell wasn't pleased the terms were passed quickly and without Council discussion since she'd been prepared to discuss the topic. Council also approved a joint management committee comprised of three City staff members and three members of the Seaton Landowners Group, along with a list of possible consultants.

"I was shocked that something this important would be passed without discussion," Coun. O'Connell said in an interview after the meeting.

But Mayor Dave Ryan in an interview said he went through the normal process at Council and "didn't see any hands go up."

He wasn't surprised when he didn't see anyone wanting to speak.

"There's been a lot of discussion about it," he said, adding Council and residents will still have ample time to give input on Seaton.

"All we're doing is creating in effect a technical group with a consultant that would facilitate the process," he said.

Coun. O'Connell said there should have been an environmental servicing plan conducted and who's paying for infrastructure should have been defined.

"It's going to be millions and millions of dollars," she said.

Whitevale resident Peter Rodrigues, whose home is located on the Seaton lands, spoke to Council about his opposition to Seaton in general and the terms of reference. He also had issue with the joint management committee.

"I realize they have a vested interest," he said. "However, precisely because they have a vested interest, it sure raises questions. And even if they are allowed to participate, why do they have as many representatives as the City does?"

Coun. Pickles asked Mr. Rodrigues if he's aware of all of the public consultation that has gone into Seaton. Mr. Rodrigues said he is, but just because he's engaged doesn't mean his input will really count.

"I'm engaged and I'll leave here tonight and the development goes through," he said.

Ward 3 Regional Coun. Rick Johnson said Council basically has to support the terms of reference because doing so allows for Pickering's input in the process.

"We're prisoners of the Province, that's all," Coun. Johnson said.