The Peninsula Lake Community Association has had a history of being a good partner to local businesses. Our relationship with Freed Resorts is no different. Freed Resorts advised us in advance that they would be submitting an application to the Town of Huntsville to build on the Deerhurst property. They met with us on several occasions and listened to our opinions and priorities. Through this collaborative effort, several of our concerns have already been addressed, and we appreciate their willingness to continue to work with us.
Our members are supportive of responsible and environmentally friendly development. While we are grateful to Freed Resorts for wanting to invest in our community, create jobs and improve the beauty of Deerhurst Resort, we are also incredibly passionate about protecting the environment. It is our duty to raise our primary concern about the proposed height of the planned Deerhurst Modern building.
The proposed structure, at 7 storeys high, built on top of a plateau, would be the tallest building in Huntsville. Such a building would contravene the fundamental goals and themes long established by the Official Plans of the District of Muskoka and the Town of Huntsville. Our Official Plans all share the opinion that Muskoka is a special place because of its “natural environment”: the granite hills, the lakes and rivers, the forests and trees. The “natural environment” is the economy. The “natural environment” is the culture. It is the reason we live and visit here. The “natural environment” is not to be desecrated, devalued or ignored. These fundamental principles have been part of the Official Plans for decades.
Given our joint commitment to our unique and beautiful natural environment, we strongly encourage that Freed comply to the official plan build specifications which dictate a building height of no more than 4 storeys, versus your plan for 7 storeys.
Our secondary concerns pertain to the traffic impact, visual impact, and future stresses on the demand for waterfront access and amenities. Are there “phase 2” plans for waterfront development that we can start a dialogue about?
We call on all residents and cottagers in Huntsville to join us (in person or virtually) at the Special Council meeting on May 17th at 6:00 pm to express our opinions about the Freed Resorts Deerhurst plans.
By making good choices, together we can ensure that our children and our children’s children are given the opportunity to enjoy our rich landscape of lakes and forests for years to come. Thank you for reconsidering your plans, and for your commitment to the Huntsville and Peninsula Lake community.
Respectfully submitted,
Peninsula Lake Community Association
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Bill Beatty says
7 stories ? Beyond Ludicrous !
Kevin Farley says
Building up means not having to build out to achieve the same capacity, and if there’s one problem we are facing in Huntsville, it is continually allowing developments to build wider and wider without any regard for maintaining any kind of natural corridors, or separation.
I wish there was more appetite / requirements for creative architecture that can achieve both enhancing the beauty of our region, and allowing for its responsible growth. The knee-jerk reaction of saying no to anything over a few stories tall will only make the situation worse.
Paul Grant says
Just because things have been done a certain way for past decades dosen’t mean changes to plans can’t change. We are all living in unpresidented times and everything has changed. It’s time for change just like everywhere else. And since when does a “lake asslociaftion” have any authority on who does what in the town. The peninsula lake asslociaftion should stick to protecting the lake and and stop bellyaching over things that don’t concern them.
Mike Pratt says
The visual landscape is just as much a part of the lake environment as is boat traffic impact and water quality. Yes, increased building height does improve density, but there comes a limit. Seven stories is beyond that limit. PS Paul, you might remember that the cottagers are an integral component of Huntsville’s economy.
Paul Grant says
Cottagers are just that, cottagers. They are not Residents! Part-time visitors or cottagers shouldn’t be involved in the towns economic and growth plans as we all wade through these changing times. Doug Ford is changing municipalities by raping our landscape to “build, build, build” to make room for the millions of new immigrants that Trudeau has
to come and live. He wants all Ontario to open they’re arms to these people by rezoning existing industrial land to residential. So, unless you want to see Huntsville spread out like any other city we need to densfy by building up, not out.
Lynn Artinian says
Paul, I respectfully disagree with you. Many cottages are now four season residences. As property owners, we pay taxes, and contribute to the community year round just as full time residents do. Our opinion matters!
Christopher White says
When wealth and finance take precedent over community and environment, the end is not far behind!
Wendy Brown says
Its too high , lets stick to looking like something other than a city.
Marcus Boekelman says
There is no difference between 4 levels and 7 levels that would be perceived or have any impact on adjacent land and uses. Build up not out. The reaction to this plan is as though a high rise tower we being proposed. Get with the times. 7 levels is considered gentle density with appropriate terracing step backs. I’m surprised the application isn’t for 12 levels.
Debbie Court says
Paul, Freed Resorts is a business. They need to make money and they count on tourists, and those that can afford a residence more IN NATURE. Without nature, and tourism our town of Huntsville, won’t do well. The lake association has worked hard to preserve and protect, not just for “cottagers” but for all that visit this area. Who wants to visit a resort by Huntsville and paddle a canoe with vistas of tall buildings? Affordable housing should be the focus for town of Huntsville. Build up within the town where it does not glaringly ruin a natural landscape. Then perhaps there might be enough staff to service nearby resorts and businesses. Can you find anyone to fix your roof right now?
Barbara Armstrong says
It is the opinions of people like Paul Grant and Doug Ford that are ruining our environment everywhere. I agree a local economy needs people to grow and flourish, but areas like Huntsville and the surrounding Muskoka areas need to be kept environmentally safe and clean. If that means not constantly expanding up or out, then that is what we need to adhere to – if we don’t, there won’t be any “nature” left to enjoy.
Going up 7 stories will mean more people. More people will drive more cars, more water craft, and eventually need, want, and demand more room. If we – and yes, Paul, some of us are the people who only summered here, but many of us now live here all year, pay large land taxes, and have just as much say as you do – if we keep allowing this exponential growth, we won’t have the Beauty of the North, we’ll have another polluted city sitting on a another polluted lake, that everyone will want to leave in the summer months, in search of peace, beauty and nature.
In the 1970s, Deerhurst underwent its first significant renovation, becoming a year-round operation with conference facilities, a lounge with entertainment and winter activities.
In the mid 1980s, the resort expanded dramatically with the addition of multi-bedroom resort home clusters and the Pavilion sports and conference complex.
By the start of the 1990s, Deerhurst had grown to 760 acres and could accommodate over 1,000 guests.
In 2015, a 10-year, $500 million master planned community with hotel, residential and mixed-use buildings received municipal approval, ensuring Deerhurst’s growth as a top Canadian tourism and lifestyle destination well into the 21st century.
In July 2019, the first project of that master plan, Lakeside Lodge opened, adding 150 waterfront resort homes for guest and owner enjoyment, on the very same site as the original 1896 lodge.
In December, 2021, Freed Hotels & Resorts/Resort Communities LP is pleased to announce the successful $330MN acquisition of Deerhurst Resort, Horseshoe Resort, and the remaining development lands at Blue Mountain Resort.
Freed’s Founder and CEO, Peter Freed, commented “The acquisition of these iconic resort properties will allow us to execute our strategy of modernizing the traditional resort community market to the highest and best use through design-driven development and world-class amenities with all season access. The acquisition of these resorts further stimulates the growth in the hotel and resort sectors for Freed.”
It’s all about the money and prestige for Freed Developments – not the economy or the environment.
It was also in 2019 the Peninsula Lake started reporting cyanobacteria (poisonous to even swim in) and having large, harmful algal blooms. These are both caused by constant development around the lake and people caring about their own goals – be it a beautiful lawn, the biggest resort, the fastest loudest boat, etc – nothing more.
If we just keep saying yes, and allowing the growth without stopping and thinking – we won’t have a city worth visiting, we’ll all just be catering to the demands and needs of massive resorts like this one.
Another polluted city sitting on another polluted lake.
This has to stop.
John Wilson says
Just brainstorming, why not reduce the number of condos – at least in this location? We thereby reduce the height and limit the sprawl, while preserving the capacity of the lake for swimming, boat traffic and “quiet enjoyment” – which is the reason why people choose to live and visit here in the first place. 445 units generates another 1,000 people, at least – imagine the congestion on the lake, not just the roads.
And please let’s consider what we get at the end of the day – a greater concentration of our local economy on seasonal; tourism, in a city by the lake. What makes Huntsville unique, if not it’s natural setting? The bottom line of this proposal – Freed wins; we loose.
Peter Zychowski says
Barbara Armstrong is opposed to building up AND out…..and we wonder why there’s a shortage of homes.
It’s either up, out or a lack of housing (i.e. expensive). Pretty simple.
One can’t complain about expensive housing and then turn around and be opposed to any and all development.
Dave Rogers says
You can’t stop change. You can’t stop development. Companies like Freed are built to find opportunities to develop land, expand and profit. It is their mission.
What should be done, in my opinion, is to rely on the mechanisms we have in place to regulate these developments.
The official plan, and the building height limits within, were developed to help maintain a balance. To ensure that the inevitable growth and development fits our landscape and respects the natural environment.
No one should be surprised that Freed wants to build higher than our official plans allow. Their primary goal is maximum profit. We should not expect Freed to be concerned about anything else.
Let Freed develop within the current height limits. Let Huntsville grow following our strategic plan. Do not stand in the way of progress, but ensure there are checks and balances, and do not let developers make the rules.
Finally, to suggest that seasonal (tax paying) residents are of less value or should not have a voice in Huntsville and the surrounding communities that they live in and love, is an unfortunate opinion. Focus on what we have in common (I presume a shared love, appreciation, and concern for our community and natural environment), rather than our differences.
Dave Rogers
Paul Whillans says
Mr Zychowski…..This proposal does virtually nothing to address Huntsville’ housing shortage, if recent history is an indication. In 2015 Deerhurst built the 150 condo Lakeside Lodge. Immediately after completion, Deerhurst began orchestration of the conversion of these homes to short term rentals……Today over 70% of Lakeside Lodge is comprised of short term rentals with the bulk of the profits leaving Huntsville. Why would Huntsville believe Deerhurst this time?
Lori Tersigni says
More floors = more units = more people = more sewage = more power boats = more environmental damage. Let’s make Deerhurst beautiful so it can get a good rate for what it has to offer and continue to enjoy the beauty of our landscapes and water.
Peter Zychowski says
Mr. Whillans, you’ve missed my point again.
I’m not arguing in favor of the Deerhurst plan. I’m simply saying that there appears to be a direct correlation between people who bemoan a lack of housing and who are also opposed to nearly every attempt at building new housing.
We have people on here literally arguing against building up AND out. That means we build nothing, ever.
If I had a quarter for every time I hear someone complain about housing costs and turn around in the same breadth and complain about density and sprawl, I’d be rich.
There needs to be a recognition that this town and all of Canada requires millions of new homes. They have to be built somewhere – so it’s either up or out because we can’t go underground….and every new development is not going to meet some people’s fetish-like desire to recreate Copenhagen in Canada. Communities will require cars and roads and natural gas and all the things the modern far-left despises (despite making use of everyday).
Kevin MacKinnon Sr says
I have lived here in Huntsville/Lake of Bays for most of my 59 years and when I see comments and petitions like this it kind of makes me chuckle at the audacity of some people. The same people who have been ignoring building codes and damages to OUR environment are now the biggest complainers since they now have there piece of paradise. Not only that but many own more than one and rent them out to make money. When I was younger it was much more quiet and peaceful up here with lots of good access to the lakes and beauty all around and now you are lucky to get a sniff of the lake without being accused of being too close to someone’s cottage. Let’s face it you are all tourists and it is about time the cottage associations stopped swaying our municipal elections and our bylaws. You polluted our lakes for years and now have mansions for cottages. I don’t like these huge commercial buildings near our lakes anymore than I like what the tourists have done to our once tranquil and quiet Muskoka but the cottage associations should be the last to complain. You may be part of our infrastructure now but we did okay before you came along. Try being a middle class or low income Canadian born in this country. Not enough income to enjoy an elaborate lifestyle and not native enough to get the special treatments. Though soon most of us native to Muskoka will be pushed out once you rich fully take over. To the tourists that still have the simple “cottage” and try to leave a little footprint, good for you.
Bill Spring says
Not being a cottager and only getting to enjoy our lake vistas when I’m out in my boat, I remember my disappointment of the view from the main bay of Lake Vernon being dramatically changed by the bright orange branded corporate look of the new Home Depot when it first was built. A short time after, we were enjoying a road trip on the Whistler highway in BC. We passed thru Squamish and there was a totally different looking Home Depot, that blended into that beautiful community. If development is bound to happen here, why not mandate that at least the facade of the structures also blended into the surroundings as much as possible with wood and colour, as opposed to concrete and non blending colour.