More than a dozen Cookstown residents attended a public meeting last week, to tell council that a new development could change the character and charm of the village.
The town is considering an Official Plan amendment application for a 15-hectare subdivision on property at the north end of Cookstown.
A portion of the development is considered "hazard lands" and is subject to funding, that is designated natural environment area and rural. The property owner wants to re-designate the property, leaving only the extreme western and northern portions as a natural environment area.
Also, a drainage ditch that traverses the property from north to south would be diverted, and redirected into the creek and a storm water management pond is included at the south end of the property, within the Cookstown Creek flood plain.
Harry Froussios, of Zelinka Priamo Ltd., says the subdivision is "a more efficient use of lands within the urban settlement area boundary," asking the town for a quick approval, to allow the developer to meet a county deadline.
His comments were supported by local plaza owner Claudio Paolini and Cookstown Foodland owner Alaine Karry who say business owners struggle.
"There's been no growth in Cookstown," Paolini said at the public meeting. "Rezoning this land would open a window of opportunity for all businesses in Cookstown."
The Foodland plaza opened in 1989.
Froussios also presented the conclusions of several studies including an environmental impact study concluding no negative impact on the function of natural environment land.
A draft plan includes a 152-unit subdivision with access via Garibaldi Street, a very narrow and quiet residential road, and from County Road 89.
Approvals from Innisfil would allow the developer to apply to the County of Simcoe for a share of 20,000 in additional population available under revisions to the Places to Grow Act. Deadline for that application is Jan. 19, 2017.
Residents, however, want council to put the brakes on the development.
Joseph Triolo lives on Garibaldi Street and is worried about traffic.
"The very idea of making Garibaldi a thoroughfare worries me immensely," he said.
Neighbour Mark Wright agreed.
"Our road is going to be a nightmare and it's not wide enough to accommodate traffic," he said.
Ward Coun. Rob Nicol rejected the findings of the traffic study.
"There's absolutely no way," he said.
He also questioned the location of the property.
"It's on flood plain,' Nicol said. "This is not rural, this is flood plain and environmental protection. If this goes further, things have to be done properly."
Comments were referred to staff for review and a report back to council in the fall.
