At its Nov. 11 meeting, Huntsville’s planning committee approved the site plan for the creation of a 2,482.98 square metre, four-storey, 59-unit multi-residential condominium building at 203 Hwy. 60.
According to planning reports, the property has an existing site plan approval for a 38-unit multi-residential building registered against the title of the property. It has an area of about 0.72 hectares, with 78 metres of frontage on Fairy Lake and approximately 89 metres of frontage on the highway.
The newly proposed development for the property has significantly changed since a 138-unit retirement home was proposed in 2017. At the time, area residents, as well as committee members, expressed concerns with the height of the building proposed, a tiered structure with a maximum height of up to 15.5 metres. Other concerns involved the setback proposed from the water and the application was denied. The owner appealed the decision to Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT), “which ultimately approved the application in an Order dated May 10, 2019,” according to a report compiled by manager of planning Richard Clark.
The density of the building, as well as the number of highway entrances (from two to one) have been decreased. Parking for the building, oriented towards the highway, has gone from primarily being located in front of the building to moving parking indoors, according to Clark, who also noted that mature vegetation abutting Crescent Bay Lane would be preserved.
Staff recommended that the site plan be approve pending additional information related to construction mitigation, shoreline preservation and vegetation, parking, loading spaces, and demonstration of compliance with the shoreline amenity area and maximum building height requirements.
The proponent will also be required to address recommendations related to a peer-reviewed stormwater management study. The District of Muskoka has also noted that the proposed development falls within a water intake protection zone and is asking the proponent to submit a water source protection assessment report prior to final approval.
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To be a conservative is to love one’s home, and treat it as a legacy entrusted to future generations.
Local government is seemingly only concerned about tapping in to Canada’s artificially inflated real-estate market.
Perhaps before people criticize they should know the facts. This property was proposed for development over a decade ago. Several proposals have been rejected by various Councils over the years . Environmental concerns are valid and so is the desire to add any additional housing to Huntsville.Ask yourself what is Affordable housing .Today’s answer is subsidized as lower end constructed home prices are prohibitive. Stay vigilant but stay balanced !
Great, another beautification project for the shores of Fairy Lake. This council has never seen a dollar they didn’t like.
Yes, Huntsville desperately needs low income housing – NOW!
If this upsets you, are you aware of a proposal by a developer to destroy Langmaid’s Island in Lake of Bays which is the last of the largest undisturbed uninhabited Islands in Muskoka?
The full documentation can by found on the Township’s website at https://www.lakeofbays.on.ca/en/invest-and-build/langmaid-island-lpat-appeal.aspx#
This is a travesty what they are trying to do. The Island is over 50 hectares in size and has trees over 200 years old. The island was uninhabited and protected as a Muskoka Heritage Area. None of this was hidden knowledge when the developer recently purchased this island. The developer is planning on slicing and dicing this pristine island into 32 lots to create mansions for the wealthy to build monster homes.
The proposal was rejected by Town planners and the developer appealed to LPAT. A Hearing is scheduled for Feb 2021. The proposal is opposed by the Township, LOBA, LBHF and local residents.
If you have any resources or insights to help out it would be greatly appreciated. The local residents group can be contacted by email at [email protected] or contact LOBA/LBHF.
It would be a disaster to our region to have this set a precedent for development. Don’t let developers walk over our future.
Regarding: “pending additional information related to … maximum building height requirements”
Surely there is in place a maximum building height. What additional information? These “development” stories all have a whiff of: maybe? whatever? Who thinks it’s a good idea to have a four storey building right beside the lake? Or is that really allowed?
Yeah…. just think. Where will all those lovely chip wagons have to go now.
Paving paradise. Terrible judgment and discretion. Shame on anyone involved.
I’m also saddened by this as the height of this development will no doubt set a precedent and we will no longer have even a visual access to the beautiful lakes in our area.
Still won’t be low income housing that the town desperately needs.
I too feel very sad as our natural areas disappear year by year. Areas of our growing town are barely recognizable.
This used to be a wetland area with a stream running through it. So sad that local developers have ruined yet another ecosystem.
Legal but sad.
I remember reading years ago that our sewage treatement plant was about to burst at the seams.
Has this problem being taken into consideration or is it just let Huntsville grow unchecked and see what happens?