Housing shortages particularly rentals are pushing all levels of government to look at ways of incentivizing the housing sector and the Town of Huntsville is no exception. In fact, according to staff, Huntsville may be among the first municipalities of its size out of the gate to study how to go about allowing higher multi-residential buildings and more density in the urban area.
Last September, Planning Council directed staff to create criteria for evaluating five to six-storey, mid-rise, multiple-residential buildings, which would include, but not be limited to, rental apartments within the Town’s Urban Settlement Area. The policy would also be mindful of ensuring the buildings do not significantly impact vistas and the natural beauty of the surrounding area, noted staff in a presentation to Planning Council on December 6, 2023.
“Staff were also directed to look for ways through by-law controls or other options, to ensure that any multiple residential buildings that are constructed on the premise of rental units remain as rental units. The direction for the criteria is to address housing availability and affordability concerns, as well as the increased demand for higher development densities and height within residential proposals,” states the planning report.
Planning staff will analyze current standards, planning tools, compatibility between new and existing development, setbacks, massing, topography, community impact and other criteria to come up with suggested policies when considering applications for building heights greater than the general limit of 11 metres or three storeys. Likewise, policies will be established when considering greater density than the current highest density generally allowed in the municipality’s Urban Settlement Area of 60 units per hectare.
Staff told council they’re at the preliminary stages and have been gathering background information, including information from more than 60 municipaities. They are expected to return to Planning Council in March.
“As you guys mentioned, we’re going to be attempting to do something that not many municiplities this size are doing,” said Councillor Cory Clarke, who thanked staff. “I’m most interesed in a policy that would deal with rental apartment buildings and buildings that aren’t going to affect our landscape and our vista. I’m less interested in a policy that’s going to allow developers to build higher condos but I understand that we have to start somewhere and that’s what we’re doing here.”
Councillor Dione Schumacher also noted that she wanted the accessibility factor to be considered along with the affordability factor in any policy.
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Lucille you are spot on the scales are so tipped at the moment to get homes built that there is no sensible plan in place for development in Huntsville. What once was a pristine Hillside was marketed a few years ago as a 50+ community of waterfront units ended up being a mountain goat development that raped the land and is an eyesore. There needs to be a few suggestions from the developers who have a vested interest in our community that come forward with wise ideas to develop the Empire block in to affordable apartments that were there previous. As well please somebody do something to develop Brendale and the mess across from it (Old LCBO property)
As one who leaves behind a city to move to Huntsville this month, this is very disheartening. Huntsville has remained in a class of its own. These panoramic vistas, flora and fauna speak in a language that is fast disappearing. We who love and value Huntsville’s natural resources and beauty, must take a stand.
1.Bredale Square should be piorized for mixed use development.
2. The Empire lot should also be priorized for mixed use development.
3.Buildings no higher than our tree line. EVER!
4. By-law 2002-18 regarding tree cutting – does it do enough?
We continue to destroy the reason that people want to come here. Every new road, parking lot, driveway is adding to the death of our lakes as we know them. If growth is inevitable then, for God’s sake, prioritize housing for those who live here. I would rather see density added in town rather than the continued clear cutting of our forests.
We moved to beautiful Huntsville years ago, simply because of the quiet beauty of the area, and the various planning and development policies seemed to be in line with our views.
Sounds like this disillusioned Town Council is preparing to honour the wishes and desires of developers (aka PROFIT and no concern for the desires of current residents.)
Does anyone know what happens when poorly planned, profit focused developments are proposed WITHOUT community or local resident input? I do! Long time local resident angst, environmental uncertainty and artificially reduced property values!
That is what is currently occurring at Grandview. I am unable to attach documents to this comment, but here is the general proposal for the old 9 hole golf course…
4 development blocks
Block 1: 3 storey Hotel and Resort
Blocks 2 &3: Resort, Recreational, Residential, 17, 2 – 3 storey townhouses in 6 blocks
Block 4: open space, buffer around Wetland feature with potential for public trails
Block 5: servicing block, District sanitary and pumping station
Townhouse = 120 units
Hotel = 75 units
Total = 195 units
Development will be in 3 phases, beginning with Hotel construction.
I strongly urge area residents to contact the following for more information, and to voice our opinions on what can be a terribly disruptive development.
– The Planning Partnership… Donna Hinde [email protected] and Claude Doughty, Halmont Properties.
– Town of Huntsville Planning @ 705-789-1751, option 3
When the most recent Grandview development was proposed, long time residents were promised the world…access to trails, the lake, amenities. What was delivered? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING…a fence and security guards preventing residents from accessing the lake, commonly used trails shut down and no access to amenities whatsoever.
And Town Council is unable to enforce what was promised to long time residents. Now with this new proposal, I’m sure much of the same will be coming our way.
Stop with the higher buildings and density.
The Town known as Huntsville is sadly out of touch!
It is absolutely impossible to maintain the unique flavour of a desirable Northern and Country town and justify expansion that adds nothing to the beauty that Huntsville once boasted of.
It is obvious to those of us who have been involved and employed in the utilities industry that water, Hydro and Sewage will be seriously affected!
Expansion at ANY COST!
Lyle Beckett
An interested Huntsville Property Owner.
I agree with the previous comments however believe this could be the start of reckless behavior by council and planning group. Huntsville has plenty of examples of our council over reacting without adequate planning and foresight. We are in the end of the process of development of a Town strategic plan so why are we now calling for emergency action. While most would agree that we need additional affordable rental properties, it does not mean that we need to be reckless. This council has not yet demonstrated their ability to manage this town.
They are clearing land in behind the building I live in Huntsville for a parking lot for a new apartment building that is going to be built. They knocked down trees that was on the edge of the property. One was a great big, beautiful red and brown oak tree. Trees do not matter when it comes to MONEY for rent or for sale of “whatever”!!!
Developers know height, zoning, parking, setbacks and many other rules will be changed to suit whatever they want.
Happens all the time. Almost every time.
Developers buy property in areas not zoned for what they have in mind knowing the zoning will be changed.
Instead of changing their development to suit the rules.
Why even have a planning department when developers do all the planning?
Might as well save some taxpayer dollars and close the planning department.
Might as well save some taxpayer dollars and eliminate councillors as well.
It’s not like they represent residents at all. Just developers.
They just blindly approve whatever developers want to do. Skip that step and save us some bucks.
“mindful of ensuring the buildings do not significantly impact vistas and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.”
LOL. Impossible of course.
Just look at the high rise, monstrosity now living at the destroyed Travelodge in Bracebridge.
Compared to the low rise, low impact hotel among the trees that used to be there.
Almost all the trees removed. Including all the ones along Taylor Road for no reason at all.
Town staff and councillors are turning Muskoka beauty into Mississauga barrens as fast as possible.
Don’t be as bad as Bracebridge.
A massive number of trees also wiped out for the financially disastrous new arena.
3.3X the cost for Bracebridge taxpayers with a year to go. And rising. Likely 4X by the time it’s done.
For some huge. ugly boxes.
While for $10 million LESS other areas are getting twice the facility.
“A state-of-the-art, carbon neutral, fully accessible recreation complex with TWO!! NHL-sized ice surfaces, a six-lane 25-metre lap pool, a leisure pool, a multi-purpose athletic fieldhouse, and a multi-purpose community room.”
Total $86 million minus $38.7 funded from the feds and the province.
king ca/townshipwiderecreationcentre
Some areas know how to get funding and value for money.
Bracebridge is not one of them.
A financial disaster for decades to come.
Building huge, ugly boxes while turning natural Muskoka beauty into Mississauga barrens as fast as possible.
Don’t be as bad as Bracebridge.
Beware the height issue….it is a very slippery slope…..!earn from the mistake !