Hespeler/Preston Elementary Schools Boundary Study - minutes from February 21st meeting

A meeting of the Working Group was held on February 21, 2008 (made up of Board staff, school administrators and parents of each of the school communities). Planning staff reviewed the purpose and scope of the boundary study, and identified issues and discussed the objectives of the study.
Item 1 – Development Activity Overview - Guest
Jim Kirchin, Director of Planning for the City of Cambridge provided an overview of the remaining residential development activity in the northern half of the city, and discussed the areas that could impact the schools under discussion.
He noted that the Mattamy "Millpond" development unit maximum under draft plan approval was 940 units, which used up the available Hespeler STP capacity. J. Kirchin advised of current uncertainties with the Arriscraft urban density proposal (currently approved for large single family lots on private septic systems), which is in the present Silverheights boundary, and development constraints with the Mattamy Preston Heights draft plan.
He indicated that other than some fairly modest infill developments (Elgin, Preston and Silverheights boundaries) and completion of building in the existing plans, this area of Cambridge is nearly out of "greenfield" development lands. Most new development will be infill at moderate to higher densities, in line with Provincial and Regional land use policies.
J. Kirchin also volunteered to attend in the future, perhaps when the Working Group has some options for his comments. J. Kirchin will confirm the status of the unopened Grand Valley Drive right-of-way.
Item 2 – Review Draft Study Objectives:
Chris Smith highlighted the revised study objectives and noted staff would be adding two more ‘Board’ objectives:
• Financial and operational feasibility.
• Good Schools Standing Committee recommendations (copies will be circulated with agenda for next meeting).
Item 3 – Information Sharing:
Chris Smith and Nathan Hercanuck updated the working group with the most recent school statistical data…(still missing one portable at Elgin!).
Nathan Hercanuck provided some additional information such as the students by grade from the Mattamy bused area and the "home" catchment area of Silverheights. The number of students feeding into Wm. G. Davis PS from the current Preston PS community was also provided and the projections for Preston HS and Jacob Hespeler SS were also discussed.
Chris Smith summarized the likely impact of the developments Jim Kirchin of the City of Cambridge identified.
Item 4 – Discussion / Review Issues:
• Mattamy area reps are concerned that their area's student numbers are being moved around to "bolster" existing schools/older communities.
• Could the Board build a school on vacant land in the industrial park on the north side of CanAmera Parkway? Would be closer to the larger group of children.
• What are the long-term projections for the Mattamy-Townline area?
• What are the long-term projections for the Ryerson PS area?
• Will the study also speak to outstanding issues at existing schools such as Silverheights, which will likely be back in a few years to similar enrolment AFTER a boundary change?
• It was suggested, and agreed, that Board staff mock up a number of potential scenarios for the next meeting, to serve as a starting point for the next discussion moving into the scenario development stage.
• It was also suggested that we look at a Public Information Meeting after we have some scenarios. Board staff will also look at potential dates/location (Portuguese Club on Townline Road?) for a Mattamy-Townline community meeting.