Phoebe Smith (pictured above) has been the welcoming face at Muskoka Heritage Place (MHP) for the past 18 seasons.
Her wealth of knowledge, bilingualism and enthusiasm have contributed to the continued improvement of operations and communication at Muskoka Heritage Place, according to Town Manager of Arts, Culture and Heritage Teri Souter.
Huntsville Council wished Smith well in her retirement and recognized her 18 consecutive years at MHP with a plaque at their June 25 meeting.
“Phoebe was an excellent ambassador for the entire area. Phoebe was always supportive of guests, staff and supervisors, and balancing their needs well. Phoebe will be sorely missed, and we wish her nothing but the best of health and happiness—and a well-deserved rest!” wrote Souter in an email to Doppler.
Below are some of the other highlights from that meeting:
Highview Drive Development
The zoning on the property at 425 Highview Drive allows for five multi-residential buildings containing 29 units each. The lot is about 4.8 acres in area with approximately 261 metres of frontage on Highview Drive. Council placed a holding provision on the lands until site plan approval and servicing agreement requirements are met.
“Recently the applicants approached you so that they don’t lose out on Federal, Provincial and District capital funding in the amount of approximately $535,000. They want to proceed with the construction of one building,” explained Huntsville Director of Development Services Derrick Hammond. Council agreed to lift the holding provisions for one of the buildings. A revamped site plan for that building will make its way to planning committee for approval in July, explained Hammond.
Concerns about the look of the building have been expressed by area residents but Huntsville Planning Committee Chair, Councillor Nancy Alcock, said staff and committee members have had several meetings with area residents and in her opinion the applicant has revised the drawings “quite a bit since the original drawings that caused a lot of concern amongst the residents and there are features now in that initial building… that seem to allay some concerns.”
Councillors touted the project as an opportunity to add much-needed affordable housing units in the community.
Lion’s Lookout enhancements
Lion’s Lookout is getting a bit of a makeover, according to Town Manager of Parks & Cemeteries Colleen MacDonald.
You’ll notice that a significant part of the chain link fencing has been removed, vegetation has been cut back, parking boulders have been put in place, and more garbage receptacles and seating have been added.
Council also approved an expenditure of $20,000 for a mason to repair a section of the existing stone fence across from the pavilion. Another $5,000 was approved to acquire two story boards, similar to those at River Mill Park, with explanations of the views at the lookout.
Fairvern Nursing Home update
Huntsville CAO Denise Corry told council that many provisions have to be met in order for Fairvern Nursing Home to receive funding for additional beds as well as its redevelopment plans from the Province and the District Municipality of Muskoka.
“The direction that was given by District Council at the end of last year was to establish two committees—one was the capital operating committee, the other was an operations committee,” explained Corry. The committees will comprise representatives from Fairvern, the District and the Town of Huntsville. Corry will join the capital committee as a non-voting member. “I will be sitting as an advisor; I will not be a voting member. So I will be your ears at the capital meeting and be able to report back to our council on the outcome of those meetings.” She said Fairvern is working diligently with the District of Muskoka, which has committed $10.5 million towards the redevelopment project, to make sure all the timelines are met.
Chamber to relocate to Brunel Road
Council heard that the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce will be sharing space with the law office of Bryan Leggett at 5 Brunel Road. The chamber has been working out of Town Hall, but staff will need the space to prepare for a fall municipal election, explained Huntsville Councillor Jonathan Wiebe, council representative on the chamber.
It is not certain how long the chamber office will be situated there. The chamber’s tourism presence at the Algonquin Theatre box office will remain.
Waterloo Summit Centre for the Environment
Huntsville CAO Denise Corry told council that the closing date for the sale of the Waterloo Summit Centre for the Environment has been extended to July 6, 2018 from June 20. It was done “simply to accommodate some incorporation provisions that De Novo Trust Fund had to put in place. Everything is still on track and we don’t anticipate there’ll be any further delays.”
Butcher’s Daughter relocation
Huntsville Council heard that while the business owner explored a location on Brunel Road, instead she made a business decision to locate to another property in the downtown core. “So that is why we didn’t receive a license of occupation application for that particular business,” according to Director of Development Services Derrick Hammond.
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Bill Beatty says
David Smith , you are a Lucky man ! Brilliant Lady .
Rob Millman says
I assume that 10% of the affordable units will also be accessible as per the AODA, 2005. I hope that the Chamber relocation is a temporary one; but if is to extend much past the election, major signage will be required. Finally, I am saddened that Butcher’s Daughter has rethought their original plan: I hope that the Town will diligently pursue another small restaurant to anchor the Kent Park makeover.
Debbie Kirwin says
I too hope the Chamber’s new temporary location is in fact temporary, unless of course , they plan to make it accessible.