Kim Zarzour

Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing ran a notice in the Markham Economist June 20 informing residents about a golf centre planned for provincially owned land at Leslie and Hwy 407, and giving concerned citizens until July 9 to respond.

The problem is, residents abutting the property don't receive The Economist. They receive the Thornhill Liberal. They didn't see the notice and they don't want the development.

The residents say the erroneously placed public notice is yet another hurdle they've had to overcome in their fight against the proposal for an outdoor golf facility and driving range on provincial land at 8111 Leslie St.

"They've had this underhanded way of going about this," complained Thornhill resident Joel Starkman. "Does it not make sense to have the notice go into the paper that local people read? There's a right way to do it or the wrong way, and these people only seem to know gray."

Mr. Starkman said the residents feel "sloughed off" by the province.

"We did err and we've corrected it," responded Tim Haldenby, planning projects team leader with Municipal Affairs. A new notice ran in The Liberal July 5.

"We had to obviously extend the deadline." Mr. Haldenby said submissions in support or opposition to the application will now be accepted until July 24.

But residents, and Markham Councillor Erin Shapero, say that's not good enough.

Fixing the mistake "really doesn't matter," Mr. Starkman said. "The question is, are they going to listen to the people who don't want this thing, or are they going to do what they want to do?"

Councillor Shapero agreed. "They're missing the point. The point is, residents should have a say in this. This is not just about a driving range proposal. It behooves the province to enter into a discussion with residents over the long-term vision of such a large significant site."

In the spring of 2007, Within Range Golf Centre Inc. made an application for site plan approval to allow a golf centre and driving range on the 23-hectacre property, which is owned by Ontario Realty Corporation. Within Range wants to lease the land from the province.

The proposal includes an outdoor driving range, mini golf, chipping and putting area and accessory buildings including a club house with patio, offices and shops for retail and food and beverage sales. The proposed use is considered temporary - 10 to 15 years.

Residents whose yards back onto the property are not happy. They worry about noise, lighting, traffic and impacts on wildlife and community safety.

Mr. Starkman points to greenspace on the west side of Leslie as a better location for the golf centre. "Why does it have to be in our backyards?"

The residents have gathered a petition for the municipality representing 55 of the 58 homeowners affected.

But Councillor Shapero said the municipality has no authority over the project.

"We're just a commenting agency. The power rests in the hands of the province."

Ms Shapero said she held a meeting last year with the residents to discuss the proposal after which the town issued 15 official recommendations and conditions including fencing, lighting, landscaping buffer and berm, pesticide use and wildlife preservation.

The project is currently awaiting approval from the province. Mr. Haldenby said that because the province has received phone calls from concerned residents, a meeting is planned July 15 to discuss the application and explain the process. The town of Markham and landowner Ontario Realty Corporation have also been invited.

The residents say that meeting can't come too soon.

"I would love nothing better than to sit down with the planners, and the people from the municipality and the people from the province," Mr. Starkman said. "The only way we're going to resolve this is by having everyone sit down at one table."

Mr. Starkman said a meeting April 24 between a delegation of residents and MPP Peter Shurman was insulting. "He gave us the impression the development was inevitable."

In a letter to residents after the meeting, Mr. Shurman wrote that he discussed the concerns with the developers and the proposal is "eminently preferable" to other possible uses for the land. "My view is that these are accommodating individuals who want to be good neighbours and partners with our community."

The town of Markham reviewed the plans, he said, and the town voiced no objection.

That's a "complete stretch of the actual facts", said Councillor Shapero. "Let's call a spade a spade. There were objections and there are still objections, which I believe are completely justified."

Those objections, she said, are delineated in the 15 conditions presented by the town.

"Myself, personally, I've had major concerns about the proposal. I've not been in favour of it."

Given that the property is publicly owned, Ms Shapero said, the public should have a say in the vision for the site.

"I highly encourage residents to make written submission to the ministry. That's where their voice will be heard."

For more information on the July 15 meeting, set for 9:30 a.m. at 777 Bay St., Toronto, contact resident Atilla Yeter at tayeter@idirect.com. For information about the golf centre application, contact Ms Alejandra Gonzalez, Municipal Services Office at 416-585-6226.