Committee asked to speed up approvals for construction of two six-plexes on Main Street

Attempts to speed up planning approvals in order to have two, six-unit apartment buildings ready for occupancy in late summer, was met with a bit of hesitation by Huntsville’s Planning Committee. An experience where the Town almost saw itself embroiled in a lengthy Ontario Municipal Board hearing with the upper-tier municipality has left a bad taste in their mouth.

“My fear is that the District recently took us to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) for ignoring one of their conditions on a site plan,” said Councillor Karin Terziano at the April 13 meeting of the Town’s Planning Committee. She was referring to an earlier application where the District gave a development its approval contingent on a water and sewer servicing agreement being put in place. When the Town proceeded with approvals without the stipulation for a servicing agreement, the District of Muskoka gave notice that it was appealing the decision at the OMB.

Planning Chair Nancy Alcock, in a conversation with Doppler, stated that it was simply a case of miscommunication.

The buildings in question will be located at 114 Main Street West. The project’s proponent, Bryan Harris, was before committee asking its members to approve the site plan so that a building permit could be issued as soon as possible. Missing still is the servicing agreement between the developer and the District, but Harris indicated that he is confident an agreement will be reached but in the meantime the delay is holding up valuable construction time.

The lands where the two, six-unit buildings are proposed have a 44m frontage on Main Street West and comprise an area of about 3,076m²

“A service agreement has been submitted although I understand it will take some time to get the approvals in place and dot the i’s and cross the t’s,” he said. He asked committee to recommend the site plan approval so construction could begin in order to have the building ready for occupancy in late summer. He suggested the Town could ensure that a servicing agreement is in place before an occupancy permit is issued.

Terziano asked Huntsville Manager of Planning Services Kristin Maxwell for input on the issue.“To be quite honest,” said Maxwell, “I don’t know that the District has the opportunity to appeal a site plan approval but I’d have to check into that.” She suggested that perhaps a conditional building approval might “appease them (the District).” She noted the decision would be one for Committee and Council to make.

Councillor Jonathan Wiebe asked Harris how risky moving forward without a servicing agreement in place with the District might be for him. He responded, “I am feeling very comfortable moving forward.”

Harris said a servicing agreement has been delayed as a result of “many recent staff changes at the District and the changeover of a computer system.” However, he indicated that he has been in touch with District Development Engineering Coordinator Brian Tucci and he is confident that an agreement will be reached.

“Because there were buildings on this property previously, the services already exist,” he said, adding that existing water services are inadequate and will need to be upgraded. “I am aware of that. So, again, I am very comfortable proceeding at this point based on conversations with Brian Tucci.”

Committee approved the site plan agreement and removed the servicing condition.