The Chair requested staff to advise on the manner of giving notice for the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment. He also asked staff to briefly describe the proposal and summarize the correspondence, if any, received to date.
Mr. Derworiz confirmed that the required notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act and circulated to each owner of land within 500 metres, and that a sign was posted on the subject property. He summarized the application, explaining that it proposes to rezone the subject lands to permit development of a resource-based recreational development including a golf course and associated uses, a marina, 423 recreational dwellings units in the form of 84 rental dwelling units, and 339 ownership dwelling units. Further review of the application is required to determine consistency with the Provincial Policy Statement, conformity to the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Kawartha Lakes Official Plan. Mr. Derworiz summarized the public comments received to date, as detailed in his report, noting that subsequent to the writing of the report additional written comments were received (and circulated to the committee members) from the following individuals:
- A. McDonald;
- C. Konzuk;
- P. Handley;
- W. Denby;
- S. Ledoux;
- D. Sinclair;
- R. Hartjes;
- J. Jones;
- R. McColeman;
- J. Kennedy;
- L. Dyment;
- P. Petrosoniak;
- G. Banman;
- M. and R. Carroll;
- B. Duff;
- D. Thomas;
- B. and C. Francis;
- N. and S. Arbour;
- W. Fisher;
- P. Kuhne;
- J. Walmsley;
- S. Cressman;
- C and G. Link;
- J. Warren;
- B. Campkin;
- N. Crawford;
- E. Mihaylov;
- C. Dyment;
- R. Blackwell;
- C. Shiarizza;
- A. and T. Worsley;
- K. Madden; and
- S. Keesmaat
He summarized the comments generally noting issues with:
- Traffic on Long Beach Road and Ranchers Road;
- Lack of existing infrastructure along roads; and
- Location and ownership of water and sewage services;
He further noted that additional consultation with the Stage 2 Archeological Assessment has been requested by Alderville First Nation. Staff are recommending that the application be referred back to staff until technical reviews have been completed and comments from the public have been addressed. Mr. Derworiz responded to questions from the Committee.
The Chair inquired if the applicant wished to speak to the application.
Matthew Cory of Malone Given Parsons Ltd. (MGP) spoke as the applicant on behalf of the owner, and provided an overview of his presentation which is attached to the minutes. His presentation covered the following themes:
- Site context and proposed concept plan;
- Proposed privately owned servicing with a condo corporation ownership model;
- Review of the Kawartha Lakes Official Plan and Fenelon Zoning By-law 12-95;
- Existing natural heritage system;
- Proposed amendment to Zoning By-law.
He noted that the resource based recreation use would have a seasonality to it (golf course, marina, etc.), however, would not be limited to three season use only. He further noted that many members of the developer's team were present to answer any questions, and Mr. Cory responded to questions from the members of the committee.
The Chair inquired if anyone wished to speak to the application.
Neil Arbour summarized his written correspondence and spoke in favour of the application noting:
- The proposal may attract professionals to the community;
- Proposal would utilize underused lands; and
- Proposal would protect environment.
Scott Cressman spoke on behalf of a group of residents and summarized his written correspondence, and noted that while they are not in opposition to the proposal he expressed the following concerns:
- Traffic study for Long Beach Road is insufficient and ignores seasonal changes in traffic;
- Current insufficient Long Beach Road infrastructure including requests for lowered speed limits, sidewalks, seasonal speed bumps along Long Beach Road; and
- Proposed 'Street 10' should be moved to Rodman Drive instead of creating a new Long Beach Road intersection;
- Interest in future public meetings.
Sylvia Keesmaat summarized her written correspondence and spoke in opposition to the proposal on behalf of a group of 250 petition signers opposing the rezoning of the land and noted the following concerns:
- Risk of increased fertilizers, pesticides and boating related pollution into Sturgeon Lake and nearby wells;
- Risk of damage of habitat for 12 at-risk species;
- Elevated impact on local roads and hospitals;
- Lack of affordable housing options;
- Impact from Short Term Rentals in proposed vacation dwellings;
- Whether a private servicing system is permitted;
- Seasonality of the ongoing uses proposed;
- Need for peer reviews of environmental studies; and
- Public access to former government dock.
Joanne Jones summarized her written correspondence and spoke in opposition to the proposal and presented the following concerns:
- Loss of farmland and agricultural community;
- Increased traffic and damage from construction vehicles;
- New road entrance proposed at top of hill on Ranchers Road;
- Loss of rare vegetation, habitat for migratory birds, and geological features like drumlins and alvar;
- Increases in density of proposal from 100 to 430 units;
- Need for peer review of environmental, and geological studies; and
- Public access to former government dock.
William Denby summarized his written correspondence and spoke in opposition to the proposal and presented the following concerns:
- Ownership of the land proposed for development;
- Lack of consultation with area First Nations communities;
- Potential loss of First Nations burial grounds;
- Current archeological studies being insufficient; and
- The need for future increased dialogue with community.
Bradley Campkin summarized his written correspondence and spoke in favour of the proposal and noted the following:
- Ideal location for a retirement community;
- Positive community involvement by Flato prior to the Public Meeting;
- Desire in community for a monthly newsletter to avoid rumours and uncertainty;
- Lack of park with playground equipment for community use;
- Concern for future effects of freshwater wells.
Rosemary McColeman summarized her written correspondence and spoke in opposition to the proposal presenting the following concerns:
- Future health of Sturgeon Lake as a critical water source for the area;
- Runoff and drainage from limestone bedrock in the community towards the lake;
- Need for peer review of environmental assessments; and
- That details of proposal are not available at the Zoning By-law Amendment stage.
Douglas Shaw spoke in opposition to the proposal raising the following concerns:
- How previous developments in the GTA have caused ecological damage;
- Loss of farmland;
- Increases in nitrate and affluent levels in lake from manicured lawns;
Patricia Mallais spoke in opposition to the proposal raising the following concerns:
- Lack of access to proposed community;
- Insufficient police and fire service in the area; and
- Lack of affordable housing in the area.
Brett Chandler spoke in opposition to the proposal raising the following concerns:
- Scale of proposal when local severances of farmland is denied;
- Drainage and potential water runoff into Sturgeon Lake; and
- Limitations to development in the geographic area.
Peter Petrosoniak summarized his written correspondence and spoke in opposition to the proposal raising the following concerns:
- Lack of doctors, primary care, and emergency services in area;
- Suggestions that the proposed seasonal use of the development won't preclude year round use;
- Loss of farmland;
- Issues with quality and quantity of water in area;
- Area environmental damage from golf courses with pesticide, herbicide and phosphate usage; and
- Alleged involvement of the developer with the ongoing Greenbelt RCMP investigation.
No other persons spoke to the application.
The Chair permitted Mr. Cory to respond to issues raised by the members of the public. Mr. Cory confirmed that all public comments have been heard, and will be reviewed including:
- Functional reviews of the impact along Ranchers Road and Long Beach Road;
- Sturgeon Lake water quality and water table being a paramount concern;
- Stormwater collection and runoff;
- Lack of park in the community;
- Effects on capacity for police, fire, and health care;
Mr. Cory summarized the proposal stating that the access to the lake and the marina is part of making this a resourced based development, and that while there will be an increase of people in the area, the proposal has a seasonality to it. Mr. Cory, Mr. Derworiz, and Mr. Holy responded to questions from the committee members.
The Public Meeting concluded at 2:41p.m.