REPORT TO DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
FROM:	Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Valerie Shuttleworth, Director of Planning & Urban Design
PREPARED BY:	Geoff Day, Planner, East Development District
DATE OF MEETING:	May 3, 2005
SUBJECT:	Application for Site Plan Approval Greensborough #2 Public Elementary School 281 Williamson Road Greensborough Community SC 05 009174

RECOMMENDATION:

That the site plan application by the York Region District School Board to permit a new elementary school at 281 Williamson Road be approved, subject to the following conditions:

1. THAT a variance be granted by the Committee of Adjustment to permit the proposed location of the garbage enclosure;

2. THAT the Owner give a written undertaking to the Town that it will construct the project in accordance with the approved plans;

3. THAT the Owner submit and receive approval for a Landscape Plan, prepared by a Landscape Architect having O.A.L.A. membership;

4. THAT the owner satisfy Town Departments including all requirements of the Director of Engineering, the Fire Department, and the Waste Management Department;

5. AND THAT the undertaking provide for payment by the Owner of all applicable fees and recoveries, and submission of any required letters of credit to guarantee compliance with Town requirements.

6. AND FURTHER THAT the site plan approval shall lapse after a period of three years commencing May 3, 2005 in the event an undertaking is not executed within that period.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide information pertaining to the proposed Greensborough #2 Public Elementary School and to recommend site plan approval.

BACKGROUND:

Property

The subject site is 2.06 hectares (5.09 acres) in area and is located at the north east corner of Williamson Road and Bur Oak Avenue in the Greensborough Community (Figure 1).  The site is currently vacant.  New homes have been constructed to the north, south and west.  To the east is a future community park. (Figures 2 & 3).

Proposal

The applicant is proposing construction of a new 4,831 m² (52,000 sq. ft.) two storey elementary school containing 35 classrooms (Figures 4 & 5).  Vehicular access to the site will be from Williamson Road serving a bus loading area located directly in front of the building and a separate car drop-off and pick-up area to the north.  A total of  52 parking spaces will be provided.

Official Plan and Zoning

The subject property is designated “Urban Residential” by the Official Plan (Revised 1987).  The property is zoned OS2 (Open Space) by Zoning By-law 177-96 which permits schools.  The proposed school complies with by-law requirements except that a minor variance is required to permit the loading space for the internal garbage room at the north side of the building. Due to the definition in the by-law of front yard, the yard abutting Jenmat Drive (which adjoins the north boundary of the property) has been determined to be the front yard. Loading spaces are not permitted in any front or exterior side yard. Town staff would support such as minor variance as the proposed location of the garbage room is the most appropriate and desirable location on the site.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

The subject school will be the second public elementary school constructed within the Greensborough Community and is located as provided for, in the original Greensborough Secondary Plan and Community Design Plan. The York Region District School Board advises that student enrolments in the Greensborough community have now begun to approach the levels at which the construction of this facility has become feasible.

The school building is sited close to Bur Oak Avenue to create a strong building edge along this street. The proposed building is designed to harmonize within the architectural context of the surrounding Greensborough community. It is to be clad in four colours of brick and aluminium flashing to provide interest and variation in the building façade (Figure 5). The school site includes interconnecting walkways that can be accessed from all street fronts. Traffic conflicts along Bur Oak Ave are minimized by the location of all driveways on Williamson Rd which is a secondary street. A neighbourhood park is located next to the school which provides cross access open space and recreational benefits.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

No financial implications are to be considered in this report.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

All requirements of Town Departments and Public Agencies will be incorporated into the final plans and site plan agreement.

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1 – Applicant/Agent + Location Map

Figure 2 – Area Context/Zoning

Figure 3 – Aerial Photograph

Figure 4 – Site Plan

Figure 5 – Elevations

Valerie Shuttleworth, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Director of Planning & Urban Design

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

DOCUMENT: Located in AMANDA under file SC 05 009174, DOCUMENTS TAB,SITE PLAN APPROVAL REPORT

FIGURE 1

APPLICANT: York Region District School Board

Tel: (905) 727-0022

Attn: Bryan Blackert, Service Co-ordinator

Fax: (905) 830-1640

1260 Gorham Street

Newmarket, Ontario

L3Y 8W4

AGENT: The Ventin Group

Tel: (416) 588-6370

Attn: Terrance White, Partner

Fax: (416) 588-6327

72 Stafford Street

Toronto, Ontario

M6J 2R9