Resident poses subdivision concerns
By Chris Simon

A proposed subdivision will have a negative impact on property values, traffic and noise, says one of the site's opponents.

Brenda Wauchope, wife of deputy mayor Gord Wauchope, says the proposed Alonzi subdivision would be located near Innisfil Beach Road just west of Alcona Glen Elementary School and could substantially increase the volume of traffic in the area. The subdivision would sandwich the Wauchope property between the school and subdivision.

Already, there's too much traffic in the area, caused mostly by parents whose children attend Alcona Glen, said Brenda.

"Our main concern is privacy; we're concerned about the privacy we have enjoyed for the last 22 years," she said during a public meeting regarding the proposed subdivision. "We were hoping that some kind of buffer or fence could be put in place so that we could continue enjoying that privacy. We're (also) concerned about the existing vegetation.

"We're very concerned about that road. We have difficulty getting out of our driveway because of the proximity of the school driveway and the heavy flow of traffic. I really can't see access to Innisfil Beach Road from the proposed road at all."

If completed as planned, the subdivision would be about 6.7 hectares in size, and feature a total of 129 residential units, including 49 townhouses. There would also be three internal roads, which could feed into a single exit onto Innisfil Beach Road, said Nicola Mitchinson, on behalf of Antonio and Vincenza Alonzi.

"The development is directed away from environmental features on the northern portion of the site, and there are no negative impacts on natural heritage or cultural resources," she said. "We feel there are several very compelling planning reasons that support the subdivision application as proposed."

The subdivision also includes parkland and a trail, said Mitchinson. She says the site conforms to the town's Official Plan, and complies with provincial growth policy.

"Overall, the proposed subdivision is consistent with the provincial policy statement (and) growth plan, the County of Simcoe and Town of Innisfil official plans," she said. "We feel this represents good planning."

Town staff also suggest the subdivision would meet government policies.

"These applications are consistent with the policies outlined in the provincial policy statement (of) 2005, which state appropriate development standards that promote intensification, redevelopment and compact form should be promoted in settlement areas," said planning manager Ross Cotton in a report to council. "The subject lands are located within an established settlement area boundary and have been designated for residential development since 1996."

But the townhouses could also impact the Wauchope property's value.

"We feel the proximity of the townhouse units may have a detrimental affect to the value of our property," said Brenda. "We're concerned about the density of those units as far as (the number of) people. We're hoping to have our concerns addressed."