An update from Bolton Area Councillor Rob Mezzapelli…
In my last newsletter I had an older BRES map which did not show the most current GTA West study corridor. This is where a potential 400 series highway may be located. I do my best to be as accurate and as up to date as I can. This is the most up to date map.
I want to be absolutely clear – this does not change the point I wanted to share with you one iota. Peel Council’s choice of option 6 for residential growth goes absolutely counter to the recommendations of Caledon staff, Caledon Council, 2 independent consultants and even their own Regional staff.
If you look at the map you can clearly see where the residential community is, where the industrial lands are (existing and approved), where the green spaces are and where a potential highway may be located in relation to the 6 options. It is extremely concerning to me that Regional Council has selected option 6 for residential development when it is largely within the highway study area and is immediately adjacent to industrial lands.
A recent development that is also of grave concern to me is the process Regional Council wishes to use to defend the position they have taken. I want you to take the time to read the following news article and see how it rests with you http://caledoncitizen.com/?p=22046
Regional Council has decided to form a committee of 3, two of whom were not elected by Caledon residents (Brampton Mayor Linda Jeffrey and Mississauga Councillor Carolyn Parrish) and one Caledon Councillor who voted against the recommendations of our local planning exercise (Annette Groves). This committee will seek legal and planning representation without going through a staff led process following normal procurement procedures . I wonder what, if any, of the details of their work will be made known to the public? Will all their meetings be closed to the public? How will they determine how the successful candidates are selected? How much will this cost and who will pay for it?
I have to be honest, I have found the whole BRES process at the Regional level one which goes against the historical cooperative and respectful approach to planning that has worked well in Peel for decades. If you too are concerned I urge you to contact your local Regional representative and make your opinion known.
