An area resident recently posted this photo from the water side of a Hwy. 60 condominium development on the Facebook page What’s Happening in Huntsville, Ontario. It prompted concerns about the retaining wall and the state of the property’s shoreline on Fairy Lake.
The development is located at 295 Hwy. 60 and involves a 53-unit condominium development consisting of four 3-storey multiple-dwelling residential buildings. According to the Town of Huntsville Planning Department, it received planning approval, including setback approvals, in the 1980s.
Director of Planning Services for the Town, Kirstin Maxell, explained that the retaining wall was approved when the application went before Huntsville Council in 2021 for an updated site plan approval.
“Staff have been in contact with the developer to review what was approved and whether or not it is being constructed in accordance with the approved plans. The shoreline in this location you may recall contained Crescent Bay Lane – it travelled right across the frontage of this parcel. As part of the redevelopment, the road was relocated and the shoreline will have some plantings that will need to be reinstated, in addition,” she stated.
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Property left in disrepair for more than 30 years back before planning committee
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We are situated on Antler Island and have been here for over 60 years. We have seen parcels of land subdivided, sold and developed. In most cases the homes built are tasteful and respectful in maintaining the natural landscape and preserving the shoreline. However, my main concern is how city council is not maintaining the same rules for large developers. I question if the same rules apply for setbacks and preserving the shoreline on Fairy Lake. ‘The huge steel wall along the shoreline seen from Fairy Lake just off HWY 60 is hideous! It’s a terrible eyesore that has altered the shoreline.’ How was this allowed????
What puzzles me is that our council frequently approves development and building applications against the recommendations and advice of the planning department. I just don’t see any prudence in that. But then it seems that nowadays money trumps wisdom in most things.
The really sad thing, and it seems to be happening in lots of areas, is that people from the city, buy country property, and then change it to look like the city! If you want to live in a city, move to one. Changing the shoreline, removing trees, adding grass is not for country living. In this day and age, everyone should know that.
To Kathryn Henderson: That’s a reasonable question to ask. How many units are there in these new builds for low income residents?
I totally agree with all the comments here. And I will also ask how many units for low income families??????
The over development we are seeing throughout Muskoka reminds me of the song by Joni Mitchell in 1970 from Big Yellow Taxi where it says “they paved over paradise and put up a parking lot”. It’s about people turning everything everywhere into buildings and roads then setting aside special places to charge people for what used to be free.
I believe a moratorium should be put on building projects until council does a thorough planning review of future projects so this does not happen again!
I think whoever on council approved this wall in 2021 should be fired! They are not doing their job! I thought they were there to protect our shoreline, not destroy it!
“ some plantings that will need to be reinstated”
On rock and steel? Give me a break!
It sickens me to hear some developer can sit on the planning permission for 40 years or more and still expect to have the same set back, allowances etc. Why does our town allow such a thing. There should be a time limit on planning permissions. Five years maximum. If someone wants to sit on a property for years then they should be required to re-apply using the current by-laws.
environmental setbacks and recommendations have changed over the years. Council CAN change bylaws/setbacks/requirements. It does not matter what was approved in the 1980s. Council let us down again, as on Brunel Road and our clear-cut Fairy Lake hill off Town Line.
Shame shame, shame.