Category: Planning

In-fill in QTN and Committee of Adjustment

3 Comments

Can 35 variances to every aspect of a proposal be a “minor variance?” Is a lot that is more than 75 square metres short of the minimum required in the land-use bylaw a “minor variance”? The purpose of variances is to address “peculiarities” of a property. There is nothing “peculiar” about the lots at 830-840 Alpine, but this week the Committee of Adjustment approved 35 variances and severance into five lots, which will see two semi-detached and one detached home replace three existing units.

The purpose of Committee of Adjustment hearings is to consider context and potential impacts. Anyone who reviews the record of recent hearings on proposals in QTN will see that the panel does not give any consideration to evidence of negative impacts brought forward by neighbours and community speakers. The process itself would not meet any reasonable test of a fair process with a level playing field for deciding what is appropriate in-fill for a particular location.

All of this is happening in the name of intensification. QTN supports appropriate intensification; the Official Plan says intensification should enhance the existing character of a neighborhood. There is a difference between in-fill that enhances a neighbourhood and in-fill that does not fit well and has significant negative impacts for neighbours and other residents.

QTN will not get the kind of “in-fill” that enhances the neighbourhood as long as the Committee of Adjustment approves every request for variances and severances without seriously considering the context and negative impacts. In its submission for the new Official Plan, the QTN community association proposes major changes to the way City planning decisions are made, to give more weight to what will work in each neighborhood. If the City wants public support for intensification, the process has to change.

Kathy Vandergrift, Chair of QTN Planning Committee

Upgrades to Frank Ryan Playground (2024)

3 Comments

Good news! Upgrading the playground at Frank Ryan Park is on the list of projects for which the City received federal and prov funding. This project is scheduled for 2024. What exactly will be funded is not yet known. There will be consultation with the community before plans are finalized.

Meanwhile QTNca is focusing on other issues related to local use of the parks in our area. For example, we continue to raise issues of access for parents with children in strollers and persons using wheelchairs and walkers. Expanding the community gardens as demand increases in addition to other community activities such as park clean-ups and spreading wood chips to improve the paths in Elmhurst Park. If you have not done so already, please share your thoughts with us on local priorities for QTN park spaces.

Have Your Say: Local Priorities for Use of QTN Park Spaces

10 Comments

What would you like to see in our local parks?

In QTN, we have three distinct parks (Frank Ryan, Elmhurst, and Connaught) and other possibilities. Residents have various priorities for uses of park spaces and we would like to learn more. Please take a moment to complete our  brief survey (6 questions) by May 21, 2021, your input will help to inform local planning for use of park spaces. QTNca will report back the results and facilitate further discussions with the community and City.

If you have any questions or would like more information please send us a message: qtncommunity@gmail.com.