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Massive development proposed for Collingwood

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In Collingwood
Aug 26th, 2010
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Simcoe County opposed
By John Edwards Barrie Advance Aug 25, 2010
Black Ash Adult Village. This is a drawing of the design for the proposed Black Ash Adult Lifestyle Village. A developer is proposing a 295-unit development, including two seven storey condo towers, for Hwy. 26 west on the old Cranberry driving range.

Collingwood council held a public meeting on Monday to listen to public concerns about the Black Ash Adult Lifestyle Village, which is being proposed by Black Ash Enterprises.
The 23.4-acre property is located next to the Canadian Tire in Collingwood’s west end and is currently zoned industrial.
The developer has applied to re-zone the property to mixed use residential.
The proposal includes a three-storey (80 bed) long-term care facility, two seven-storey condo buildings, a three-storey (120 suite) retirement facility, 20 single detached homes, 16 townhouses, 24 semi-detached homes, a two-storey recreation facility, two four-storey mixed use buildings and 2,800 square-metres of commercial space.
Nathan Westendorp from the County of Simcoe submitted a statement to the municipality, stating its opposition to the development.
“County and Town staff, along with the County’s growth management consultant have reviewed the growth information for the Town,” he said.  “As a result of this recent analysis, we have determined that the Town of Collingwood currently has enough lands designated to accommodate the population projections outlined in the adopted County Official Plan and the Provincial Vision for Growth document. Based on this information, approval of this application could not be supported in the absence of sufficient growth allocation for residential development in Collingwood.”
Collingwood Mayor Chris Carrier said municipalities in the county are frustrated with the province’s lack of movement on growth in the area.
“Make a decision,” he said. “There is a process to make government make a decision.”
He said the development would be a $100 million investment in Collingwood.
Director of planning Nancy Farrer said the NVCA (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority) has worked out an agreement with the developer to deal with the wetland surrounding the development.
Glen Lucas, planner for the developer, said the development would slide in under the town’s maximum amount for a medium-density development at 48 units/hectare.
Lucas said the developer has changed some design aspects of the development in an effort to comply with the town’s urban design standards.
He said the goal was provide a “diverse range of housing options,” for seniors.
He said the development will bring in $4.8 million in development charges and $664,000 in taxes for the town. Lucas said the development would create close to 200 jobs.
“We believe this is a good development and will serve the town well,” he said.
One of the major concerns facing the development is the two seven-storey buildings. The town bylaws restrict the height of buildings to six storeys or 15 metres.
“I am very much against the seven storeys,” said resident David Gallagher. “I don’t believe there is a place for seven stories.”
Local resident Peter Morrison asked the developer if the development could work with four storey buildings and asked if the seven-storey buildings could be moved to the back of the development. The plans call for them to be located at Harbour Street and Hwy. 26.
Lucas said they are willing to work with the town but said “the option would be to reduce it to four stories.”
“I think we’re pretty close to achieving the type of development that we want,” he said.
Resident Richard Orviss had similar concerns.
“I am here to urge you to not approve this development,” he said.
Orviss was concerned that this development would set a trend across the community. He said a condo development like the one at Rupert’s Landing is something he doesn’t want in his neighbourhood.
“That (Rupert’s Landing) was a mistake that shouldn’t be repeated,” he said. “It will be difficult to stop similar developments.”
Orviss also had concerns about traffic and environmental issues in the area.
Lucas said the Rupert’s Landing development is 10-storeys and doesn’t believe the traffic will be a huge impact.

 

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