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Jan 31, 2012 meeting was attended by over 150 residents of Thornhill & Concord - article covering the meeting is below followed by petitions.

By Kim Zazour   Feb 02, 2012 Thornhill Liberal

Tempers flare at transit ‘town hall’
Thornhill politicians and a representative from VIVA Transit faced hot
tempers and threats of a class action lawsuit Tuesday night as angry Thornhill
residents met to discuss Centre Street development plans.
Regional councillor
Deb Schulte, Thornhill councillor Alan Shefman and VIVA spokesperson Dale Albers
agreed to meet with residents to answer questions about plans to intensify
development in the area and connect the Hwy. 7 rapidway line with bus-only lanes
down the middle of Centre Street.
They faced a hostile crowd who accused
politicians of forging ahead without consulting with the community.
The
meeting, organized by Beverly Glen Ratepayers Association, quickly spiralled
into shouts, jeers and boos as residents expressed their outrage over plans they
say will destroy their community.
The City of Vaughan is planning for
increased development along Centre Street between Dufferin and Bathurst streets.
At the same time, VIVA plans to include that stretch of road as part of its new
east-west rapidway line.
Mr. Albers told the group that VIVA let neighbours
know about its plans using advertising, mass mailings and public meetings, but
when asked for a show of hands, only four among approximately 150 residents
packed into the Patricia Kemp community centre gym said they had been informed.

Jody Klapman, a resident since 1986, was one of the few who knew about the
public meetings.
“They say they want your input but make it so difficult and
they’re conniving about it.”
She said she was reassured by politicians at
that time that their objections were being heard, “but here we are so many years
later and it’s a done deal.”
Gila Martow, president of the ratepayers group,
asked why the rapid transit line needed to cut through their neighbourhood.

The route will follow Hwy. 7 from the border of Brampton to the border of
Pickering.
“Everywhere it stays on Hwy. 7 until it gets to our neighbourhood.
Why?
“If this truly were an express route, shouldn’t it take the quickest way
possible?”
She suggested synchronizing stoplights to alleviate congestion,
keeping the rapidway on Hwy. 7 with feeder buses to link Centre Street riders to
the route. The buses are not well used along that part of the route anyway, she
said.
But Mr. Albers told the meeting the rapidway line is not detouring off
Hwy. 7, the bus route is already there and is being enhanced.
“We will not
remove existing transit to move it to Hwy. 7 or elsewhere.”
Residents also
expressed anger at the city’s plans to intensify development in the area.

The province requires Vaughan to increase its density, Ms Schulte said, and
the city is trying to keep that development along major corridors.
“We have
no choice. We have to take a certain number of people. We’re just trying to
figure out where to put them.”
Mr. Shefman said the city hopes to put
together a plan that is pragmatic and meet all needs, but is also defensible
before the Ontario Municipal Board. “There’s no doubt in my mind that we are
going to be challenged left right and centre for higher buildings to go in
there.”
But their answers did not appease residents who shouted out their
objections, called the city and VIVA inflexible, insulting and, in the end,
called for a class action lawsuit.
“We have to hire our own professionals and
our own lawyers,” said resident Frank Ragni. “We can talk until the cows come
home...but we have to pull money out of our pocket and spend it. The time for
talk should be over. It’s time for action.”
One resident called it the
elephant in the room. “This goddamn thing is not moving and we need to put our
hands in our pockets and kick ass.”
Others joined in the shouting: “We were
not consulted and I find it despicable for you to come here and say you
consulted us. You spoke with a few and you did not listen.”
“You consulted
with developers, not residents!”
Residents were advised to put their comments
forward to the city clerk and local councillors. A further public information is
planned by VIVA for the spring. To learn more, visit vivanext.com
and http://tinyurl.com/Vaughan-Centre.
The Beverley Glen ratepayers website is beverleyglenra.com

Petition to Vaughan Council by Ward 5 Vaughan Residents Regarding
Rezoning Of Center St between Dufferin and New Westminster

As residents of Ward 5 in the City of Vaughan we are concerned with the rezoning plans for the north side of Centre St, Thornhill
between Dufferin and New Westminster and ask Vaughan City Council to consider the quality of life for area residents in regards to blocked sunshine, traffic,
 parking, green space and community safety.

We understand that the Province of Ontario has called for increased high density in our city. We have experienced an explosion
of condominium development around Disera and the Promenade Mall with plans for more development in these areas, on Bathurst north of Center, as well as at
Dufferin and Center. We believe that additional high density should focus elsewhere in the city with zoning remaining as it is for the north side of
Centre St while we determine how the area is affected by the high density development already under construction.

We also understand that York Region has plans to create center HOV lanes for VIVA buses along Bathurst and Centre St with future plans for light rail transit.  
If the necessity for increased high density on Centre St is directly related to this increase in mass transit through our neighbourhood please consider asking for
 the HOV lanes to remain only on Hwy 7.

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Petition to York Region Council by Ward 5 Vaughan Residents 
Regarding Bus Only Lanes on Bathurst and Centre St

As residents of Ward 5 in the City of Vaughan we are concerned with York Region plans for bus only lanes on Bathurst and Centre St down the center lanes. We ask
York Region Council to consider the quality of life for area residents in regards to blocked sunshine, traffic, parking, green space and community safety.

We understand that the Province of Ontario has called for increased high density in York Region. We have experienced an explosion of condominium
 development around Disera and the Promenade Mall with plans for more development in these areas, on Bathurst north of Center, as well as at Dufferin and Center.
We believe that additional high density should focus elsewhere in the region with zoning remaining as it is for the north side of Centre St while we determine how
 the area is affected by the high density development already under construction.

We also understand that York Region has plans to change the bus only lanes into light rail transit. The express bus route travels along Hwy 7 from Markham and takes
a detour on Bathurst and Centre and rejoins Hwy 7 - if bus only lanes are essential then we ask for the express service to remain on Hwy 7.

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