THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF COBOURG STAFF REPORT TO: Mayor and Council FROM: TITLE: Glenn McGlashon, MCIP, RPP Director of Planning & Development DATE OF MEETING: October 3, 2016 TITLE / SUBJECT: Request for an Extension to Draft Plan of Subdivision Approval Rondeau (Cobourg) Ltd. -- Cobourg East Community REPORT DATE: September 28, 2016 File #: 1.0 STRATEGIC PLAN Objective #4: Managing sustainable growth and development 2.0 RECOMMENDATION THAT Council approve the request by Rondeau (Cobourg) Ltd. for a one (1) year extension to draft approval of a plan of subdivision for the vacant property located at the south-west corner of Elgin Street East and Brook Road North. 3.0 ORIGIN The Planning Department received a request from Richard Rondeau of Rondeau (Cobourg) Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Rondeau ) for Council s consideration of an extension to draft plan of subdivision approval for the vacant lands located at the south-west corner of Elgin Street East and Brook Road North (refer to Figure 1 Letter from Rondeau (Cobourg) Ltd. and Figure 2 -- Draft Plan of Subdivision attached). 4.0 BACKGROUND Rondeau currently owns 107 ha (264 ac) of land in the general area bounded by Danforth Road, Greer Road and Brook Road North/Elgin Street East. In June of 2009 and further in October of 2010 (as revised), Cobourg Municipal Council granted draft approval with conditions to a plan of subdivision for Phase 1 of the Rondeau development proposal located at the south-west corner of Elgin Street East and Brook Road North (see area outlined in red on
Figure 2). Phase 1 comprises a mix of residential, park and open space lands with a total unit count of 216. The draft approval contained a lapsing provision after three (3) years. In October of 2013, the draft plan approval was extended by Council for an additional three (3) years and is valid until October 15, 2016. Since 2013, Rondeau has been involved in a comprehensive planning and engineering exercise to modify, update and improve the draft plan to better reflect modern trends in community planning and design. Earlier this summer, Rondeau submitted a revised draft plan of subdivision and supporting background reports to the Municipality and partner review agencies for consideration, however the process is still underway and has yet to proceed to Council for a public meeting (anticipated in the next few months). In light of the above and to ensure that the current draft approval does not expire outright, Rondeau has requested an extension to draft plan of subdivision approval. 5.0 ANALYSIS Section 51(32) of the Planning Act permits Municipalities to extend the time period for draft plan of subdivision approval. Depending on individual circumstances, fulfilling the conditions of draft approval within the initial time period may not be possible. In this case, Rondeau has been actively engaged in re-designing the draft plan of subdivision over the past 2-3 years with the intent to complete the approvals process prior to the current draft plan approval expiring in October of 2016. The revised draft plan of subdivision was submitted to the Municipality in late May of 2016 (formally received by Council on June 20, 2016) however it is still working its way through the development review process. It is anticipated that the new draft plan of subdivision approval, if granted, will replace the existing approval. Barring any unforeseen issues associated with the processing and approval of the revised draft plan of subdivision application, the owner has indicated a potential project start date for Phase 1 in the Spring/Summer of 2017. Thus, it would be appropriate for the Municipality to approve an extension to the draft plan of subdivision approval for a period of one (1) year while the current approvals process continues. Council may grant further extensions prior to the one (1) year expiry period, if required. The development plan and draft conditions remain relevant and in keeping with Provincial and Municipal policies and there are no concerns with granting such an extension while the revised draft plan is being processed. 6.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS/BUDGET IMPACT There are no financial implications on the Municipality associated with the requested extension. The proponent has filed the requisite $2,000.00 fee.
7.0 CONCLUSION It is the opinion of planning staff that the request by Rondeau (Cobourg) Ltd. for a one (1) year extension to draft plan approval for Phase 1 of the proposed subdivision development located at the south-west corner of Elgin Street East and Brook Road North is appropriate.
Figure 1 Letter from Rondeau (Cobourg) Ltd.
Figure 2 Draft Plan of Subdivision Phase 1 ELGIN ST E BROOK RD N GREER RD