HomeMy WebLinkAboutPD-16-82 i
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CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT D.N. SMITH, M.C.I.P.,Director
HAMPTON, ONTARIO LOB 1J0 TEL. (416)263-2231
REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING
OF JANUARY 25, 1982.
REPORT NO. : PD-16-82
SUBJECT: Objections to Rezoning By-law 81-152
A by-law intended to recognize group
homes in the former Town of Bowmanville
RECOMMENDATION:
It is respectfully recommended that:-
1. This report be received; and
2. The following resolution be forwarded to Town Council
for adoption and/or submission to the Ontario Municipal
Board along with By-law 81-152:
"Whereas the Council of the Corporation of the Town
of Newcastle has approved By-law 81-152 as a result
of their consideration of an application for such
an amendment by an affected property owner, and in
response to Provincial and Regional requests to
recognize "group homes" within the Town's Restricted
Area Zoning By-laws;
And whereas the effect of By-law 81-152 will be to
recognize only existing group homes as permitted uses;
And whereas By-law 81-152 is considered to be in conformity
with the Durham Regional Official Plan;
Be it now therefore resolved that the Town of Newcastle
hereby requests the Ontario Municipal Board to approve j
By-law 81-152, notwithstanding the objections received
and further requests the Ontario Municipal Board to
convene any required public hearing in respect of
By-law 81-152 at the earliest opportunity; and further
hereby authorize Town staff and or the Town Solicitor
to represent the Municipality at any such hearing that
may be convened." t
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Report No. : PD-16-82 . . ./2
BACKGROUND:
The concept of community care in family-like settings and Provincial
direction to Municipalities specifically related to "group homes"
has been the subject of several earlier staff reports. Reports
P-36-80, P-90-81 and P-160-81, copies of which are available in
the Planning Department, outline the position of the Province and
the Region and describe the evolution of group home controls in
the Town of Newcastle.
The position taken by the Town, through the adoption of By-laws
81-152, 81-153 and 81-154 is viewed by staff as a responsible one.
By recognizing existin g group homes as
permitted uses in the
zoning by-laws and by incorporating a definition of group homes based
on the suggested Provincial definition, the Town has made a significant
step towards accomodating Provincial objectives and providing requirements
which conform to the Durham Region Official Plan. In addition,
by requiring that any new homes must apply for rezoning, public
notice is ensured and residents and Council have the opportunity
to address community concerns on a site by site basis.
The definition of "Group Home" that has been incorporated in
By-law 81-152 of the former Town of Bowmanville, as well as the
other Zoning By-laws in the Town, is based on the Provincial definition
of group homes. This definition has, however, been revised and, in
effect, made more restrictive by including a minimum distance
separation of 300 metres for all Group Homes as defined and by
stipulating that only one group home housing elementary or junior
high school aged children may be located within the area served
by any public elementary or junior high school.
COMMENT:
Letters of Objection
During the twenty-one (21) day circulation of By-law 81-152, the
Town Clerk received 3 letters of objection to the By-law.
Objections were received from the following residents. Copies
of their letters are attached.
Report No. : PD-16-82 . . ./3
1. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence R. Goodman
2. Mr. and Mrs. Donald MacArthur
3. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Barton.
All three letters of objection indicate general support for the
By-law amendment insofar as they offer no objection to the
operation of the existing homes. However, the concerns raised
by all three objectors relate to the part of the definition
that restricts the location of group homes housing elementary
or junior high school aged children. The objectors are suggesting
that this type of group home is not appropriate in residential
areas.
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There are many types of residential core programs that fall under
the Provincial definition of Group Homes. According to Provincial,
Regional and other experts in the field of community care who
assisted the Town in developing the subject requirements, some
types of Group Homes are characteristically trouble-free. Other
types have, in the past, been associated with problems in some
locations and have tended to give Group Homes a bad reputation.
It is the possible establishment of homes for problem youths that
has stimulated the objections to By-law 81-152.
In our earlier discussions with Regional staff and representatives
from the Newcastle Social Planning Council, the possibility of
differentiating between types of Group Homes was discussed. The
concensus of opinion was that although some types of Group Homes
have in the past been associated with neighbourhood disruptions,
singling out specific age groups or people with different backgrounds
and disabilities would undermine the Provincial objectives and
lead to discrimination. As such, our position has been to modify
the suggested provincial definition by restricting the establishment
of homes for elementary and junior high school aged children to
one per school area. The revised definition would help to avoid the
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Report No. : PD-16-82 . . ./4
historic problems that have occurred where concentrations of these
types of homes have been permitted and, in keeping with Provincial
objectives, it would not completely prohibit the establishment
of this type of community care.
Staff believe that By-law 81-152 is in conformity with the Region
of Durham Official Plan and that it respects both Provincial
objectives and the character of the Towns residential neighbourhoods.
As such, staff are recommending that, notwithstanding the objections,
By-law 81-152 be forwarded to the Ontario Municipal Board for
approval.
Letter of Support
In addition to the letters of objection, the Town Clerk received
a letter of support for the approval of By-law 81-152. The Town
of Newcastle Social Planning Council has indicated that "the group
home requirements as outlined in By-law 81-152, plus the provincial
licencing requirements, will allow for a controlled development of
care in the community with minimal disruption to the community".
Staff feel that the support provided by the local Social Planning
Council reflects favourably on the Town's approach and on Council's
earlier efforts to solicit input from this, as well as other
groups and agencies involved in the field of community care.
Respectf�ul,l-y�_s.ub l tted,
r!
T. T. Edwards, M.C.I.P.
Deputy Director of Planning
FAmj c"
January 13, 1982
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TOWN OF NEWCASTLE BOX 35, BOWMANVILLE
SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL ONTARIO 623-661'
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December 2, 1981.
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Re: By-Law 81-152.
This letter will serve to notify you of the support of
the Newcastle Social Planning Council of the application
for approval of By-Law 81-152.
The group home requirements as outlined in the By-Law,
plus the provincial licensing requirements, will allow
for a controlled development of care in the community
with minimal disruption to the community.
?ev. John Peters, DISTRIBUTION
Chairman
Newcastle Social Planning Council. CLERK. �?'�
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