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. Harding confirmed that the required notice was given in accordance with the Planning Act and circulated to each owner of land within 500 metres, and a sign was posted on the subject property. He summarized the application, explaining that it proposes to facilitate the enlargement of 44 Royal Cedar Road by rezoning the property and the lands to the south of it from Commercial Recreation (C3) Zone to Commercial Recreation Exception One Holding (C3-1(H)) Zone, and rezone the lands to the east and southeast of 44 Royal Cedar Road from Rural General (RG) Zone to Future Development Holding (D(H)) Zone. The holding provision is to impose site plan control. The application is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, conforms to the Growth Plan and the Kawartha Lakes Official Plan. Mr. Harding clarified the boundaries of the lands proposed to be rezoned, and noted that the application is the result of provisional consent conditions.
Mr. Harding summarized the comments received to date, as detailed in his report, noting that subsequent to the writing of the report a number of additional comments and correspondence were received from the following members of the public:
- Chad Armstrong
- Nicole Armstrong
- David Donais and Dean Michel - Balsam Lake Association
- Garry Henderson and Laurie Brawn
- Darryl and Valerie Cooper
- Lynn Coulson
- Katie Freeman
- Scott Freeman
- Sheila Freeman
- Stacey Gateman
- Wayne and Beverly Harrington
- Neil Henderson
- Karen Henley
- Peter Henley
- Peter Honeyborne
- Greg Houston
- Kelly Houston
- Peter Houston
- Kyla Marshall and Phillip Houston
- Rob Jardine
- Gordon Lee
- Lindsay Lourenco
- David and Donna Mountain
- Debbie and Mark Olan
- Lisa Pope
- Steve Pope
- Jeanette Tomkowski
- Cheryl Watson
- Jim Watson
- Carol and Alan Woodward
Mr. Harding summarized the comments and correspondence of the above individuals into the following general themes and questions:
- What and where are the proposed expansions
- The dormancy of the resort over the last 5 years
- Intensity of the expansion to the resort and the impacts on traffic, noise, and safety
- Adequacy of the sewage systems
- Tree clearing
- Impacts to habitat and wildlife of Balsam Lake
- Whether authorization was granted for the works on the resort and the shorelines
- Resort management, including who owns the resort, what is currently occurring, and the burning of garbage
Jane and Robert Ellis, owners of some of the lands in the application, also submitted correspondence in support of the application.
Mr. Harding noted that in light of the additional comments received, staff are recommending that the application be referred to back to staff for further review so that the owner, applicant, and staff can have further discussion to address the comments received. Mr. Harding and Mr. Marshall responded to questions from the members of the committee.
The Chair inquired if the applicant wished to speak to the application.
Kai Chen spoke as the applicant and one of the owners of the properties. He addressed some of the concerns from the neighbours stating that since 2016, he has been making several room improvements, however was he not initially aware that the septic system was not on the resort lands. As such, he stated that he cannot open the resort until they acquire the lands with the septic system. He noted that they had reduced the number of the rooms from 55 to 44, so it isn't so crowded. He also stated that there had been some burning of wood on the property, however he had paid for general waste removal. Finally, he noted that this application would give up his rights to complete the development until the City approves any changes, thereby giving more control to the City, and that he is trying his best to satisfy the concerns of the neighbours and the City. He responded to questions from the members of the committee.
The Chair inquired if anyone wished to speak to the application.
Jane Ellis, an owner of 34 Royal Cedar Road and the vacant lands to the east, thanked Mr. Harding for consolidating the concerns from the neighbours. She clarified that a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ was made with the previous resort owner for the septic system, and that they have been working to sell the land to the new owner for four years. She had earlier requested that the application be deferred, however acknowledged that she would hear out the comments provided today.
Greg Houston, owner of lands to the south of the property, stated that he had no issues with the 8 small cottages nearby that were rented out by the Ellises, however he presented his concern for a building with 34 rooms and 2 stories. He noted that they have a quiet, and beautiful laneway and were worried about property value of adjacent properties. He stated that they would love to meet with Mr. Chen and increase communication, and were happy to see the property improving, however that they were concerned about such a large building closer to their property.
Karen Henley stated that she had been following the history of the applications on this property, and when she initially saw an application for luxury resort with water park, she filed an objection, due to the lack of details provided. She thanked Mr. Harding for his prompt responses. She questioned the existing ownership and the experience of the corporation who owns the property, and stated that she was not confident that this would be a successful development. She requested that the applicant supply detailed concepts, and that staff supply complete responses to all questions of concern. Finally she requested that this application be referred back to allow all parties to go back to the table and address the issues raised.
Rob Jardine spoke on behalf of the Balsam Lake Association who monitors development activity on the lake. He thanked Mr. Harding for a prompt and thorough response, however he noted that the application had not provided additional information, or a concept plan which should be required for effective public consultation. He stated that they are looking for a deferral on this application, until a detailed concept plan is presented.
Stacey Gateman thanked Mr. Harding for clarifying concerns she addressed. She questioned if this proposed change in zoning would set a precedent for altering the additional nearby lands in the future. She also noted that she would be happy to receive additional information in the future.
No other persons spoke to the application.
The Public Meeting concluded at 2:25pm.