DWINC's (Homes Designed Without Neighbours' Consideration)
Background
During the last couple years, small
original homes on the streets of King
City have been replaced
with large, out-of-place homes. The problem with the new homes is not the size.
The problem is that they are not consistent with a street's, or a
neighbourhood's historical aesthetic. Furthermore, the rights of existing
individual homeowners, the neighbours, are being disregarded.
One of the key questions you may want to try to answer is:
Which of these houses would you want to be built next to your home?
GET involved - Talk to Township staff and
express your opinion
Replacement Homes
Earlier in year CCKT made many recommendations
in correspondence with King Township Councilors and staff regarding 'Replacement Homes'. These homes are not only located in King City
but also in Nobleton, Schomberg, and may appear in any of our villages and
hamlets throughout the Township. Township Staff has conducted extensive study
of the issue and at the Committee of the Whole November 17/08 there was further
discussion.
In a deputation to Council, Ron Mitchell (Vice Chair,
CCKT) reviewed CCKT’s position that some form of control is appropriate.
Without some control over the aesthetics and atmospheric environment of
sections of our towns and hamlets, local environments can quickly deteriorate
into a mix of uncontrolled, random monster homes being parachuted into existing
neighbourhoods. Our local communities
have a special character and atmosphere which has evolved and developed over
many years; and that is why residents decide to stay in these areas.
Avoiding Uncontrolled Building Policies
CCKT
wrote a further letter to Mayor Black March 5, 2009 regarding recommendations
for proposed replacement homes and major additions. In addition to our previous
suggestions, we recommended an
opportunity for the Township to set mandatory goals for ‘green building
attributes’. We proposed that these should apply to all future residential and
commercial buildings, indeed, all building developments in the Township of King.
CCKT
believes that King Township can stand out from many other townships, if it has
the will to do so, in terms of making ‘green building attributes’ mandatory,
and not just talk about these opportunities without the necessary actions being
put in place to introduce them.
From
the Open House held June 16, 2008 regarding King City
replacement homes and major additions, the top four concerns, in order of
priority, expressed by residents were:
1)
Height, 2)
Streetscape, 3) Front, rear and
side yard setbacks, and 4) Privacy
The
City of Mississauga ‘Design Guidelines’ were once again held as an excellent
example of what King Township could achieve, if it has the will. (http://www.mississauga.ca/portal/residents/urbandesign)
In
terms of ‘green building attributes’ the following were proposed as mandatory
requirements;
a)
‘Sustainable Sites’ with specific consideration being given
to reduced site disturbance, alternate transportation, light pollution
reduction and development density
b)
‘Energy’ with specific consideration being given to
renewable energy, energy performance optimization and green power
c)
‘Indoor Environmental Quality’ with specific consideration
being given to ventilation effectiveness, low-emitting materials, daylighting
and systems efficiencies
d)
‘Materials Resources’ with specific consideration being
given to construction waste management, the use of regional materials and
re-cycled content
e)
‘Water Efficiencies’ with specific consideration being given
to water use reduction and water efficient landscaping
In addition to the above, it seems that the Township
of King Planning Department may be recommending support for the application to
build a 6-storey condominium building in Schomberg.
This is in contravention of the Schomberg Community
Plan, and if allowed, will set a precedent of which other development companies
will take advantage throughout King
Township.
