Key Highlights
- Residents of northeast Pickering fear development will lead to higher taxes and environmental damage.
- A public information session was held to discuss the proposed neighbourhood plan, with concerns raised about potential flooding downstream in Ajax.
- The City of Pickering plans to develop an area in northeast Pickering to address growth pressures but faces opposition from local activists who argue the development is unnecessary and unsustainable.
Public Opposition to Northeast Pickering Development Plan
Residents and environmental advocates have expressed significant concerns over the City of Pickering’s plans to develop a large area in northeast Pickering, an area that spans from Eighth Concession Road to Lakeridge Road. The proposed development, which includes 72,000 residents at full build out, has sparked fear among local citizens who believe it will lead to higher taxes and potential flooding issues downstream.
At a recent public information session on November 10th, community members like Mike Borie, a longtime resident of the area, voiced their worries. “This plan is a commitment to a long-term future of higher taxes, environmental damage and unsustainable urban sprawl,” he stated emphatically. Borie’s concerns are echoed by Helen Brenner, co-lead of Stop Sprawl Durham, who sees this development as a threat to existing infrastructure.
Planning and Proposed Developments
The City of Pickering has outlined plans that include the creation of eight neighbourhoods with mixed-use and low-density developments, employment areas along Highway 407, and natural heritage systems. According to Paul Lowes from SGL Planning and Design Inc., who presented at the public session, these plans are meant to be conceptual but will refine as they move forward. The development also includes parks, municipal facilities, and a significant number of schools—23 in total, with 19 elementary and four secondary.
While the City aims to address growth pressures, critics argue that more sustainable solutions exist, such as completing areas like Seaton, which is only 30% complete. Phil Pothen, a land use planning lawyer, emphasized these concerns during his presentation: “Paving over our natural assets is short-sighted and irresponsible.” He further noted that no fiscal impact study has been conducted, raising questions about the financial viability of such large-scale development.
Environmental Concerns
The proposed development on the headwaters of Carruthers Creek has raised specific environmental concerns. Brenner highlighted that building in this area could lead to flooding downstream in parts of Pickering and Ajax. “The impacts are real,” she said, underscoring the potential long-term consequences for local infrastructure.
Environmental Defence lawyer A.M. Headlines added his voice, citing the danger posed to one of the two remaining healthy Redside Dace populations that live in the area.
He stressed that young people looking to enter the housing market should also be concerned about these developments’ sustainability and environmental impact.
Despite the City’s plans to address growth pressures, local opposition remains strong. The Stop Sprawl Durham group has called for this issue to become a municipal election topic next October, given its significant financial implications for residents.
Conclusion
The debate over development in northeast Pickering highlights ongoing tensions between urban growth and environmental conservation. While the City of Pickering aims to address housing shortages through large-scale projects, it faces strong opposition from local communities who advocate for more sustainable solutions that minimize tax burdens and preserve natural resources.
