About three years ago we became concerned with the erosion taking place on our water front along the Muskoka River. We engaged a contractor who assured us that no permit was required as our project was landscaping. Following the construction of a decorative retaining wall and prior to any actual landscaping an individual complained to the by-law department that it didn’t appear that filter cloth had been used in the project. Town planner, Richard Clark, met with me to review the project, Mr. Clark suggested some modifications to the wall itself and proper landscaping may make the project acceptable and suggested that we apply for a minor variation, which we did. Following the foregoing a meeting of the committee of adjustment was held chaired by councillor Stone and a panel of 4 members, Mr. Stone indicated that the wall must be completely removed and without discussion indicated aggressively that the panel must vote to have the wall taken down, each member then, as they were told, voted that the wall must be removed. We have since spent considerable funds to defend our position, hiring a planner, engineer, landscape architect and lawyer, the town has also spend a great deal of taxpayer money. We very much appreciate the support we have received from the community. The project is now in the hands of the O.L.T.
Last afternoon I attended a planning meeting, one of the subjects brought forward was the issue of a rusty steel wall erected on the shore of Crescent Bay by a developer. Apparently the wall is too close to the water. Amazingly in spite of many objections by local residents the wall was approved and will remain in place subject to landscaping. Must say that I was impressed with councillor Morrison as he indicated that he had personally checked with a landscaper to inquire as to what could be done to cover the steel wall.
The question now arises, why is a long term resident and contributor to the Town of Huntsville denied the the opportunity to have a decorative retaining wall on his property when an out of town developer is approved to have a rusty steel wall on the shoreline of a beautiful lake? I would appreciate your comments.
Yours very truly,
G. Douglas Wilson.
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The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Doug it is amazing what you have gone through. When you see the other structures that are allowed to be be built on top of the water it amazes me when I read your story. Your story seems to be one that people in this town are telling & dealing with far to often these days. It seems unless you have deep pockets you are forced to give up/retreat, this is a sad state we are in!! Do not give up
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Too many levels within municipal government and too many people with say over a project.
Your a good man, I feel your pain and agree when we see soooo many things allowed that make you scratch your head.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
I have seen your retaining wall, nothing wrong with it. The town should be ashamed to have treated you with such disdain. I am sorry you have needed to fight this fight – disgraceful.
Stephen Watson says
I find it funny that there is no mention of the contractor taking responsibility, or the owner. Everyone contractor in Muskoka knows they can not do any work along the shore without permits. This would all have been avoided with a simple phone call or email to the Town.
Next question why is it always the Towns fault when property owners does not follow the rules and gets caught. Again all avoidable.
Do you blame the police officer when you get caught speeding, is it thier fault you are going to fast, is it the Towns fault you listened to the contractor not do your due diligence.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
The difference is that the Crescent Bay project got a permit. Right or wrong ( and I do agree it is wrong), the town approved it? Building without a permit is a slippery slope. Everyone can use the excuse, “well we just didn’t know we needed one”, and where will we be then? With a lot of more of these eyesores. I do agree that rusty-looking wall is both an eyesore and an environmental concern, but my understanding is that was approved many years ago, before our official plan looks the way it does now and protects from such issues.
Bill Beatty says
Do it legally with a permit to avoid the consequences of not applying. Companies doing the illegal work need to be held accountable for their misinformation. Greed for work can result in shortcutting the process and the results have been made clear .I know from experience !
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
Just to be clear, the crescent bay developer also never received a permit to build there steel wall
That was why they were at town council seeking forgiveness that the council was more than happy to provide
The town planner indicated we required a minor variance because we were not far enough back from the water front . the newly constructed steel wall is only a few feet from the water front
Once again same situation two different outcomes?