February 29, 2011 Attention: Council, Township of Oro‐Medonte 148 Line 7 South P.O. Box 100 Oro, Ontario, L0L 2X0 Re: Proposed amendment to Official Plan and Zoning By‐law for 99 Mount Saint Louis Road East for the commercial development of a Weber’s Restaurant. Dear Council, At the public meeting on Wednesday February 22, 2012, not one member of the public spoke in favour of this development. Prior to the meeting, concerned resident, April King (who grew up in the Coldwater area), handed out 200 public notices to make residents aware of this proposal. She also spoke to many people in doing so, none of whom agreed with this development. April also works within the community and she comes in contact with a variety of demographics, specifically 12‐18 year olds (our next generation) who are also very opposed to this development. April personally contacted Mr. Rennie, the Owner of Weber’s, whereby he made it very clear to her that he is not here to make friends. Perhaps this is not the type of person we want as a neighbour, as he has not thus far demonstrated that he is coming here to improve our community or to give anything back to it. When asked why he chose this location instead of somewhere that is already commercially zoned, his reply was that fortunately it’s a free country and people can do what they want. Our question is, at what expense to the health, safety, environment and character of our community? In the summer of 2011, trees were cut and burned and an excavator was working in the environmentally protected area along pond banks and creek bed. As a result, the Coldwater River was laden with silt and sediment for over 48 hours afterwards (we have photographic evidence of this). Unfortunately, no one knows what damage has already been done to the habitat of aquatic species in the Coldwater River and potential Species At Risk that reside on this property. These site alterations, prior to approval, go against the Official Plan and Zoning By‐law constitutions and are a breach of the Planning Act. The Township of Oro‐Medonte’s 2011‐2014 Strategic Plan identifies Strategic Goals for the future including: • Quality of Life: “To contribute to an enriched quality of life for residents by maintaining Oro‐Medonte’s natural beauty and country‐like character...” “Planning strategically ensures that together we will be able to maintain the things that we collectively value as being important for enriching the quality of life by responding to the challenges of the present in a manner that best positions the Township for the future.” – Mayor Harry Hughes 1 2 • Safe & Healthy Community: “To ensure that Oro‐Medonte policies and programs promote a safe and secure environment...” “This Strategic Goal is all about prevention and protection; prevention of accidents to employees and residents of Oro‐Medonte and protection of the environment.” – Mel Coutanche, Ward 1 Councillor • Sustainability: “To build an increasingly sustainable community with regard for and sensitivity to the needs of future generations.” ∙ “Update land use planning to protect the Township’s natural assets.” ∙ “Work with local conservation authorities and associations to protect wetlands, watersheds and the local ecology” “...protect Oro‐Medonte’s natural beauty will help us provide a bright future for future generations to come” – Marty Lancaster, Ward 3 Councillor The MPP for Simcoe North, the Hon. Mr. Garfield Dunlop, recently wrote an article for a local publication, the “Coldwater Current” Local News and Events, February 2012 expressing his belief that: “It is imperative for Simcoe County and the entire province that Ontario takes a leadership role in protecting our biodiversity. In a special report released recently, ‘Biodiversity: A Nation’s Commitment, an Obligation for Ontario’: The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Gord Miller said the Government of Ontario must commit to its responsibilities in the 2011 Biodiversity Strategy to stem the continuing decline in Ontario’s species and natural spaces. My riding of Simcoe North is a perfect example of where such protective measures are needed. We live in an area where reforestation and protection of wetlands and species at risk are vital to good health, growth and sustainable future... ... The lifestyle we enjoy in Simcoe County and in Ontario, our health, the health of our communities and our economy depends on a healthy biodiversity.” We cannot find any evidence in the planning justification report, Growth Plan or Township Policy to support this development. There are appropriately zoned areas to host this type of commercial development elsewhere. We, the public, are holding the Township of Oro‐Medonte accountable to their legislation, goals for the community, and support for their community so that the quality of life for many is not jeopardized for the sole benefit of one person’s private business venture. It is our hope that the Council of Oro‐Medonte recognizes that this is the wrong parcel of land for such a development, and makes the progressive, responsible and ethical decision to decline the proposed amendment for this property. Sincerely, April King Joe King Robert King Christina Barrett Danielle Berube Andre Savignac Jackie Duffy Patsy Booth Ward Sullivan Grace Sullivan Dwight Holm Wendy Holm Ed Balko Trudy Balko Wade Faris Garry Kumpula Ethel Kumpula Joanne Cavarra Tony Cavarra Lyn Thomson Steve Thomson Joan Daulby Frank Daulby

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