Port Credit NEIGHBOURHOODS:
Hiawatha

OMB APPEAL: March 19, 2014 Pre-Hearing at CITY HALL (Hearing Room).

Per OMB CASE PL131164 (click to view schedule) there is an appeal of the amendment to MISSISSAUGA ZONING BY-LAW 0203-2013 which would control replacement housing and additions in the Hiawatha Neighbourhood.

The Town of Port Credit Association (TOPCA) has passed the following Motion at its meeting (March 10, 2014): "That Gavin Clark, TOPCA Executive Member and resident of the Hiawatha Neighbourhood, attend the OMB Pre-Hearing (March 19, 2014) for case PL131164 in order to register as a Participant and make representations on our behalf." Click to view TOPCA Letter sent to the OMB March 18, 2014.

The TOPCA Executive supports amendment of Mississauga Zoning By-law 0203-2013, as recently approved by Mississauga Council and further to the public process: "Port Credit Infill Housing Study – Hiawatha Neighbourhood."

HIAWATHA REZONING FOR INFILL HOUSING - PUBLIC MEETING AT PDC: June 10, 2013 at CITY HALL (Council Chamber).

► Click for AGENDA (Item #7), regarding the public response for proposed Zoning By-law amendments for the neighbourhood of 350 homes, per previous public consultations outlined below.

NOTE: See pp170-9 of the Agenda to view the SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING STAFF REPORT dated May 21, 2013 -- this includes public feedback from the previous meeting on February 25, 2013.

► Click image for online MEETING NOTICE (1p PDF).

NOTE: Representatives of the TOPCA Executive have attended all the neighbourhood consultations and PDC meetings.

► Mississauga News article (June 11, 2013): Zoning changes designed to prevent monster homes in Port Credit neighbourhood. TOPCA Exec member Gavin Clark is quoted in the article.

HIAWATHA REZONING FOR INFILL HOUSING - PUBLIC MEETING AT PDC: February 25, 2013 at CITY HALL (Council Chamber).

There was an opportunity for public feedback at this Public Meeting of the Planning and Development Committee (PDC) (AGENDA), regarding the proposed Zoning By-law amendments for the neighbourhood of 350 homes, per public consultations outlined below.

At the meeting, Planning Staff outlined proposed changes to the Zoning By-law concerning garage projections, height restrictions and maximum building depth, and for water lots: reductions in lot coverage and increase in front yard set-backs. As illustrated below, the existing By-law has resulted in non-sympathetic infill development.

► Mississauga News article (Feb. 26, 2013): Property owners rally against restrictive zoning bylaws. Excerpt: "Several Port Credit residents who attended a public meeting about monster homes in their community opposed a municipal plan to restrict the size of new residential buildings, saying restrictive zoning bylaws infringe on their rights as a property owner.... many people don't fully understand the proposed changes and not enough of them have been consulted."

► Click image for online MEETING NOTICE (2p PDF including MAP).

► Click for the PLANNING STAFF REPORT: February 2013 (17p PDF) outlining all the proposed zoning changes for the Hiawatha neighbourhood (aerial image shown below).

HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN?
March 2012 - Residents have been e-mailing TOPCA (at topca@topca.net) about the new infill development located at 90 Cumberland Drive (map -- take the satellite 'street view' walk-about to see how the neighbourhood used to look), now that it is visible to all.

IT'S BEEN CHECKED:
Councillor Jim Tovey has confirmed that the City's chief building inspector has been to the site with surveyors and 4 hours were spent checking every corner and measurement and comparing these with the permits and site drawings which were approved.
► Everything is exactly to the inch. The street is zoned as (R-15). Click for the Zoning Bylaw.

According to the developer, in an e-mail to a TOPCA member, "Furthermore this is a design that was approved by the city and all the necessary permits have been acquired. If the community has an issue with this project perhaps it is one that should be taken up with the city who at the time of approval had none." -- Komon Homes

► Click image for PHOTO ALBUM (23p PDF - use 40% zoom). Last updated March 25, 2012.

According to the Planning Dept., "This property was not subject to any minor variance applications [which would have gone to the Committee of Adjustment], nor was it subject to Site Plan Approval. Only building permits were required."

So how are neighbours to know ahead of time in order to comment, and how can our Port Credit Local Area Plan (currently in draft) be strengthened to protect our neighbourhoods?

HIAWATHA INFILL PRESENTATION: The Planning Dept. staff presentation at the neighbourhood meeting on April 3, 2012: Port Credit Infill Housing is now posted.

► Click image to view PRESENTATION (13p PDF).

► Click for the City's Site Plan Control By-law to learn what it is about, and to check any address in the City to determine if it is subject to this control.

Past attempts to establish site plan control in the 'Hiawatha' neighbourhood have not succeeded (the latest attempt was in 2006, but was voted down by the residents).
We ask residents now – what are your thoughts? E-mail: topca@topca.net.

DEMOLITION: The house at 86 Cumberland Drive went down on March 22, 2012 and according to Planning staff, the new house to be erected on the site will be similar, although a little smaller, in built form to the new construction at 90 Cumberland.

HIAWATHA NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETING: Was held April 3 @ 7-9 p.m. at the MISSISSAUGA SENIORS CENTRE. MEETING NOTICE. Hosted by Ward 1 Councillor Jim Tovey. The meeting discussed preserving the traditional neighbourhood character, in connection with the new dwelling at 90 Cumberland Drive. A 16-member volunteer resident Committee has now been struck to consider what guidelines could be put in place through Zoning By-law amendments for the neighbourhood. Planning staff will assist the Committee, and in a few months the proposed changes will be presented to the community for approval -- the Councillor stated that 75-80% support from the local residents would be required for the amendments to go forward. Updates about the progress of the Committee will be posted to the Councillor's webpage: jimtovey.ca/home/cumberland-drive.

A LITTLE HISTORY

Below is a Hiawatha-on-the-Lake brochure from the 1920’s when the area was first put up for sale by Wrights Ltd., of Toronto. Click images for hi-res enlargements. Images courtesy of the Clarks on Onaway Road.

Port Credit NEIGHBOURHOODS: Hiawatha

RESOURCES

Port Credit NEIGHBOURHOODS:
Hiawatha