A request for a zoning bylaw amendment turned into a discussion on what kind of establishments should be allowed in residential areas.
During Monday's city council meeting, city clerk Steph Palmateer read council and the public the formal proposal from Jennifer Burtch, who wants to open a day school for up to eight children on Maple Street South.
The proposal was posted on the City of Timmins website and listed as a public meeting, in which concerned citizens in the area could voice their opinion.
A sizeable crowd was present during the discussion.
Neil McVicar, a resident whose property is directly behind the proposed school, shared his concerns with council.
“I'm not here just representing myself and my wife. There's a number of concerned neighbours who are here to show their support” he said.
McVicar outlined some major concerns that he and other locals share.
“A day nursery should not be located in a residential zone. We're not just saying 'in our residential zone' but it shouldn't be located in any residential zone.”
He says nurseries, daycares and schools should only be permitted in commercial or institutional zones.
McVicar expressed the potential negative impact on property values and the amount of interested buyers in the future.
He also says there are legitimate concerns regarding parking spaces, as well as concerns during the winter.
“This block on Maple Street has sidewalks on both sides, but in the winter, neither of those sidewalks are cleared,” said McVicar.
He said school children in the area are forced to walk on the street, and adding another childcare facility would only compound the problem.
He added that nobody can reasonably expect peace and quiet at all times living in an urban area, however neighbourly disturbances are temporary, whereas noisy children would be permanent.
“We all disturb one another at some point, to some degree. Whether its working in our yards, having a social event, all of those things that happen in a residential community. But to have a day nursery in the midst of that? That's not a normal residential activity,” said McVicar.
“We ask council to deny the application, but encourage Ms. Burtch to continue with her business in a commercial or institutional zone, as she has done previously.”
It was then time for Burtch to step forward and explain her position.
“It's not a day nursery, it's a Montessori school. It's a specialized program for students, and what we do is teach the children grace and courtesy. They're not going to be a bunch of hooligans running in the backyard, causing a ruckus, waking up the neighbours. They're very good children. They come from wonderful homes. We teach them to play nicely with one another,” she said.
Burtch says the city bylaw currently states she is allowed to have up to 5 students, but is requesting to have eight, noting there is demand in Timmins for this type of program.
“We have a wait list. Last year we had 25 students at our last location. This year we wanted to downsize, because we knew it would be more effective for our students,” she said.
The school would serve children from the ages of two and ahalf to six.
Mayor Steve Black encouraged any residents opposed to the proposal to write to Palmateer.
The decision is expected to be announced at a council meeting in the near future.
(PHOTO: Neil McVicar speaks to council (top) about his concerns about a new Montessori school proposed for his neighbourhood. Jennifer Burtch (bottom), the proponent of the school, addresses council. Andrew Autio for TimminsToday)
