Strawberry Island development: redesign in the works

from Pamela Fulford, Friends of Strawberry Island

We just got word that the Strawberry Island OPA 18 report will be coming to the Simcoe County Committee of the Whole meeting on March 22 at the Administration Centre in Midhurst. We are very excited that we also got the unofficial word that the development will be redesigned. We hope that means it will be appropriately downsized to fit this small island that is rich in natural and cultural heritage and is so important to the health of Lake Simcoe.

After the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority commented that the development application did not meet the requirements of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, the developer, now renamed TAG Developments has gone back to the drawing board.

So, we Friends of Strawberry Island are thrilled, but we shall remain vigilant and attend the March 22 meeting when the official Simcoe County report is discussed by Council. Of course it is not over yet and there may still be many hurdles before we know the outcome, but we shall keep watching to make sure that Lake Simcoe is protected through the proper implementation of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act in this and future development applications on Lake Simcoe.

We shall update our Facebook site, Save Strawberry Island in Lake Simcoe, the week prior to the County Meeting on March 22 to confirm the date, time and location. We hope you will join us!

With thanks for your support.