Ask Maurice – Maurice Smith Ward 2

I receive a fair amount of correspondence from my constituents. I try to acknowledge all emails and letters promptly because your input is important. Many of these inquiries ask questions which may be of interest to many of you – and my response may also be of interest.

So , I will publish some of these questions along with my response. I will identify the letter writers by initials only and reserve the right to edit all material before publishing. Naturally, these examples will represent only a small segment of the mail I regularly receive.

I trust you will find this section of my website of interest and would remind you to direct all email correspondence to me at maurice.smith@townofws.ca

Maurice

June 16, 2021

Sidewalk at 48 and Aurora Rd

Question

With the new complex at Highway 48 and Aurora being completed, has there been any discussion about putting in a sidewalk from our Ballantrae entrance to the complex? We notice quite a few seniors now walking on the side of Highway 48 to get to Tim Hortons and eventually the doctors offices that are going in. For a safety perspective.

J
Answer
Funds to pay for the sidewalk install were put into the Town’s approved 2021 Capital Budget. Arrangements have just been confirmed with Ballymore (new home building site) to have them grade the length of the front of their property such that the sidewalk can be installed by the town.

We await word from MTO as to how far back/wide the setback from the highway must be to accommodate the project.

I have coordinated an on-site meeting with town staff, new plaza owner and company constructing the facility at the Aurora-Hwy 48 corner to determine where and how the sidewalk will be incorporated into their buildout plan.

Regards,

Maurice Smith

Councillor Ward 2
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maurice.smith@townofws.ca
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April 23, 2021

Activity at Aurora Rd and Ninth Line

Question

General concern regarding recent activity at Aurora Rd and Ninth Line.
Answer

The current illegal activity started shortly after the new owner purchased the property. He supposedly purchased it because someone (not town staff) informed him that outside storage was allowed. Of course that was completely false information as the property is zoned Oak Ridges Moraine – Countryside (ORM-C). A contractor’s yard is not a permitted use.

When the new owner started to import stone, I requested a By-law Officer attend at the site to inform him of the illegal use. Further, during the visit the officer requested that they cease operation and investigate the zoning matter. The officer was assured this would happen.

Last Friday I noticed that this had not happened and in fact, they were continuing to operate. I therefore had the officer make another visit. While there, he noted the ongoing activity and turned away arriving trucks. He also issued a Discontinue Order, dated Friday April 23, 2021.

The officer will now visit the site each day to ensure compliance of the Friday agreement.

Be assured town council and staff are doing everything in their power to put a stop to this illegal use.
BE SAFE
Regards,
Maurice Smith
Councillor Ward 2
Town of Whitchurch – Stouffville
905-640-1910 Ex 2102
maurice.smith@townofws.ca

July 12, 2019

Good morning Maurice,

Rumours are circulating that the forest located off the golf club hole #8 has been gifted to Whitchurch Stouffville. Is this valid ?

Anonymous

Dear DB

Thank you for your question. The following information is being shared with you for the purpose and my goal of keeping BGCC residents advised on a timely basis, of matters happening within and near our golf course community.

Last year I was advised by Schickedanz Brothers that they have now completed the final build-out of their Ballantrae Golf Club project. Yes they will still own the golf course — no it has not been sold — no it is not for sale – no they are not going to build any more homes within BGCC. The project has come to an end after the 20 years of building. There are however a few issues they asked me as your councillor and the town staff to address. Most of these can be classified as minor changes made to the original official plan. All but two have been addressed.

The main one of the outstanding matters deals with the bush lot or parcel of land between the eighth fairway of the golf course and the Ninth Line. In total these lands consist of 11.67 hectares or approximately 29 acres. This parcel, as is all the golf course, is on the Oak Ridges Moraine and therefore governed by the Province and the Moraine legislation.

With this parcel of land — Schickedanz really had two viable options; One they could hold or sell to a developer and wait out any change that may happen to the Moraine Act and then develop on it. They do have title and the right to build one home on a small piece of land outside this marked up boundary. That parcel is noted as Part 36. —-

Their second option was to invoke a section under the Oak Ridges Moraine Act that allows for the severance of lands to: —- “facilitate conveyance to a public body for natural heritage conservation.” —- Discussions between Schickedanz, myself and town staff over the last many months, have led to their decision to sever the outlined acreage and donate it as heritage lands. Basically the property title for this 29 acres would be transferred to the Stouffville Park Trust. The best part of this if this is the ultimate disposition is that the lands would then never be developed with houses.

In order to continue through this process I had council, at a meeting in June pass a motion providing staff the authority to finalize this matter. In effect this is now before staff with the objective to having this property designated as heritage lands by the end of the summer.

Your questions and comments can be forwarded to me through my town email address. maurice.smith@townofws.ca.

Regards

Maurice Smith

Councillor Ward 2

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