The proponent of a 150-unit development, which includes two four-storey multi-residential buildings with a total of 80 units, has come up with a more detailed plan for the provision of outdoor amenity space for its residents, as per Huntsville planning committee’s request at its May meeting.
The phased Highcrest Muskoka development will comprise an area of about 3.85 hectares made up of lands at 46 Hanes Road and 18 Legacy Lane, which will be developed in six phases.
At its June 15 meeting, Huntsville manager of planning Richard Clark told committee that the developer has been working with staff to formulate a landscape plan which will incorporate outdoor amenity space as part of phase three of the project.
“On further review, the developer has indicated that this amenity area could be provided on the rooftop of the parking structures of those buildings,” Clark told committee. “That rooftop, it exists because the parking structures are planned to be connected below grade,” he added.
Clark told committee the developer has also indicated that additional outdoor amenity space would be provided within other areas of the development and include things like benches along walking trails and a pergola—all of which can be established to the satisfaction of the municipality within the landscape plans of the development, he added.
“I know some others went out to visit the applicants and take a look at the whole site, I did as well. I was wonderfully surprised and impressed at the quality; the vision that they have. I think this is going to be a great development and I didn’t know that before,” said Councillor Bob Stone.
Committee chair and Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock concurred. “I too visited the site and had exactly the same thoughts, and I was really pleased with their ability to think creatively as to those outdoor spaces, so that was really important to me.”
June 15 meeting.
In the end, committee granted the applicant conditional planning approvals for the project, thereby enabling the applicant to seek draft approval for the condominium development from the District of Muskoka.
You can find the report from planning staff here (pdf).
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lesley hastie says
I see this development is being given a “Green” light. I hope this means it will mean use of green (low carbon emission) building materials, induction stove tops, lots of trees for passive solar effect indoors and outside, and heat pumps.
These homes will exist for many decades. Cutting carbon emissions. e.g by using clean electricity, will not only help reduce climate change it will make homes more comfortable and affordable.
ReubenPyette says
I’m not sure what people are looking at but clearly they have no clue as to what constitutes green space. Green space is not future sites for condo and townhouse development. Read the plan and understand the areas impact.
This is high density housing with little green space. Not only should this be denied it should be scrapped. The intensity of the build removes all private space and the impact of neighbors will be intensive.
Look at the dam plans and read the document.
Good grief.
Bob Vtech says
These are to help the locals with housing needs?
I like what I see! 150 units?
I will try and swing a bank loan for 1.5 million.
I might be close to the asking price?
Brenda Begg says
The $64,000 dollar question: is it affordable housing? That’s what our area needs as of YESTERDAY.