You may have noticed that a significant number of trees have been cleared just east of Forbes Hill Drive near the Canada Summit Centre.
That is the site of Summit Development located at 119 Town Line Road East. The 175 unit multi-residential development received approval via an OMB decision in early 1990s. There is also a consent application in the works to sever an additional area at 120 Town Line East of approximately 0.17ha with 23m of frontage and add it to 119 Town Line Road East, currently comprised of an area of approximately 6.7ha with 30m of frontage on Forbes Hill Drive.
The website for the development is advertising ‘stacked townhomes’ from the mid $300,000 range to upwards of $700,000 for ‘condo townhomes.’
According to Kirstin Maxwell, Town of Huntsville director of development services, the municipality has received a site plan application for the development, but it has not yet been considered by the planning committee. The committee was scheduled to meet on April 15, 2020 but the meeting was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Because the Town of Huntsville does not have a site alteration or tree-cutting bylaw, site preparation work can be done while the developer awaits site plan approval.
Clearing has already started for a multi-residential development awaiting site plan approval along Town Line Road.
At its March 11 meeting, planning committee approved a recommendation to move forward with a Community Planning Permit system which would regulate developments as well as site alteration activity including tree removal. The new planning regime would be used to implement Huntsville’s new Official Plan.
Staff was authorized to issue a request for proposal for consulting services in order to:
- Prepare a background review and directions report
- Prepare and coordinate a public consultation program (which would at a minimum include a combination of open houses, electronic postings, workshops and/or council presentations prior to the statutory public meeting);
- Draft a community planning permit bylaw; and
- Revise the draft community planning permit byaw for council consideration and adoption based on consultation program results.
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This clear cut has already caused two power outages on our road due to wind knocking down trees no longer protected. We are anticipating more. Unbelievable that there was no tree cutting bylaw in place in Huntsville.
We had a tree bylaw in the eighties! Who repealed it?
To pull a quote from our recent election, “the environment is our economy”. This is certainly true in Huntsville and Muskoka. How this environmental tragedy was allowed to unfold is beyond me. Almost certainly, it will impact Fairy Lake and by association, others downstream. Town council needs to step up and admit they messed up on this eyesore and ensure it never happens again.
Hi Ralph very well said ” Man’s worst enemy is himself and his ignorance ” all city’s started up as little towns if your a local and dont appreciate the changes coming to huntsville then purchase the land when owner’s decide to sell and preserve it as you want. It’s clear that there is alot of changes coming to huntsville to attract more seasonal cottagers and visitors so the more local try to shun the seasonal cottagers and visitors its meaning less we dont care our wallets talk. I have had a few locals try this stunt coming on my property telling me I’m not allowed to cook certain foods how much quest I’m allowed over my. property is approx 1.1 acres I was told once that I can’t celebrate canada day lol that was the last day anyone come on my property without my permission if you fall into this category then your just making yourself miserable and stressed for nothing.
What does Huntsville Mayor and Council say about this abominable destruction of property within our municipality? Is it now acceptable to allow blatant soil erosion, clear cutting beautiful trees, complete disregard for wildlife habitat? If this type of development is deemed acceptable, then we have crossed all boundaries of appropriate planning, We have discarded all basic parameters of ethics in land use and development. We have spiralled to the bottom.
Its called politics. Big business, big money in action.
The future is, at some point in time, all of Huntsville will be paved over.
Man’s worst ememy is himself and ignorance.
It’s hard to believe that this can happen today in our town, a beautiful piece of property clear cut. Come on folks, we have to be better than this. Surely by now we have bylaws in place to help protect our forested landscape. I’m not against development, but it needs to be balanced and blend in with the surroundings. I’m trying to picture what a 175 unit development will look like on one of the highest peaks of land in Huntsville.
In what universe is it acceptable to allow developers to destroy a large swath of land without a site plan, an environmental assessment, town approval, etc.? The destruction on that hill cannot be repaired, whether or not we allow the development to proceed; however, if at all possible, we should put a hold on the plans (or, better, the lack thereof) and refuse to reward this incredible insensitivity to the needs of the land itself or the need for town participation in decision making. At the very least, we should create some bylaws to insure that such a thoughtless act never happen again.
What happened to the provincial order of no new construction ?? House’s of 300-700 aren’t a necessity so people from Toronto can move here.
I too am not in favour of this “development” – destruction of beautiful lands in the name of cha$ing the money. At those prices, it as others have agree’d, is NOT anywhere near affordable.
Approved in the early 2000’s by OMB? … No Thank You. Never was a fan of the OMB process, seemed questionable.
Not to mention, heating / cooling, those buildings on top of a precipice won’t be cheap. Just imagine the wind around this large exposure …Brrrr.
Shocking and truly an eyesore. The few trees that remain will not be able to act as a windbreak or prevent soil erosion. All this in such a scenic and iconic area of our town. I agree that until there is site plan approval, no tree cutting should be allowed. Is the height of the townhouses within limit restrictions? An unfortunate sight on Earth Day.
Concerning 119 Town Line East site
Saying a ‘significant number of trees’ is like saying bald is losing a few hairs. I think approval is as good as in the developers hands simply because, what council would allow such site transition without citing soil erosion, habitat loss, downstream silting of storm drains and subsequently Cann Lake? If ‘Average Joe’ developer tried this he would be bagged, tagged and sent to be tested. And there are plans for the town to sell more land for the same treatment?
Seems we’re working our way to affordable housing on the top of the Lookout. Affordable. In the single millions. Hell of a driveway but what a view!
What an absolutely shocking thing this is by these environmental vandals … both on the part of the Town Council and the Developers …… all rationalized in the name of “good for the local economy”, … “progress”, and “growth” … I imagine.
…. and the same is happening in various locations around the area.
I think there should be a time limit on any applications for development and should expire if not started within a two years of the application.
This clear-cutting is rude and out of control. And more building above the tree tops? This town has changed for the worse. It forgot what it had. Maybe the ravaging of this land will stay this way and be like the entrance to Bracebridge – cleared and never built on. Stupid. Indefensible. Greed. Just the kind of thing this pandemic makes me feel a dull hope we, together, can re-view in future. How do We want to live?
Let’s get the town get a bylaw of removing trees before is to late ,is disgusting what this contractors did to the environment ,it’s time to act now .
The town needs to stop clear cutting being allowed. Also a question … where’s the affordable housing? This is far from being affordable for most locals! The whole situation disgusts me.
Very similar event in Port Sydney with Pine Haven Road. It was not approved yet and a road and hydro was put in.
When you put the cart before the horse, it would seem that you could only proceed backward. That appears to be the case here; the developers leading the planners. Why couldn’t staff produce a simple RFP in almost 6 weeks? Meanwhile, we have a contractor leveling an area without site plan approval; public consultation; or even a basic environmental assessment. I thought that condominium construction during the pandemic was contingent on the first floor concrete being in place.
Exactly how far will the construction process be allowed to continue, without anything in place (excepting an OMB decision two decades ago)? Does this mean that Crescent Bay MAY rear its ugly head again?
I thought there is a bylaw about building being taller than the trees. I personally think it’s looks terrible, sticks out like a sore thumb. Perhaps I’ll build a wind generator in my backyard it won’t sow much more than that mess. Oh yeah also I thought developments like this have to have some affordable h ouseing, 300 to 700 k D osnt sound very affordable.
Unbelievable! Let’s get a tree cutting By-Law in place, Huntsville. This will have an impact on the land with run-off creating erosion, animal and bird habitats being destroyed as well as the plants that Ruth Cassie mentioned and more!
Such a shame! Another eyesore…
It was a piece of paradise there. I wonder if all those edible and wonderful plants were harvested and replanted elsewhere?…..
Maybe it would be prudent to create a bylaw that would prohibit the clearing of land until the building permit is granted. It seems to make more sense that way.
Thank you! I have been wondering for months what was going on up there.
How do they get away with working when all the small contractors are shut down do to covid 19 just is not fair.
Very unhappy to see this beautiful location being developed terrible spot to be developed environmentally sensitive area, lots of other far more suitable lands tout up a housing project.
Wow! So do I understand correctly? The town hasn’t put in place regulations for environmental assessments for developments like this? Developers can go ahead, no particular permission given, just do it and ask for forgiveness later? Seems ridiculous.