Kincardine Council is standing firm with it’s concerns about a subdivision proposal that it earlier rejected and has since been appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Council met as the Planning Advisory Committee last night and passed a recommendation to continue rejection of the West Ridge on the Lake subdivision plan and to let the Ontario Municipal Board know.
The case is already before board after council first rejected it last year over concerns that it would have violated parts of the Official Plan and provincial policy on land use.
Bruce County Deputy Planning Director Bill Hollo says several deficiencies were identified last year and not addressed, and other issues have come up since.
Environmental concerns include development in a seasonal wetland area, and the stability of the soil at the top of the bluff.
The density of the development is a big issue. The developer wants to have more of the over 400 units near the shoreline, instead of at the top of the bluff area.
Close to 50 residents and cottage owners attended the meeting.
Richard Zelinka, a consultant representing the residents says the plan ignores established policies.
He says council’s recommendation sends a message to the Ontario Municipal Board that it backs existing policies and recommendations from the county.
Resident Liz Addison stated her concerns about the environmental impact.
Cottager Vic Rausch is afraid he and other property owners will lose their road access.
Don Scott, the consultant representing the developer says it’s unfair that council made the recommendation. He says council was under no obligation to make a recommendation and the report should have stopped at just reviewing the recommendations of the planning report.
Mayor Larry Kraemer doesn’t believe council is necessarily against the idea of the new subdivision, but the normal process of getting outstanding issues resolved hasn’t been followed with this proposal.
He says he’s never seen an application come before council before with even 25 percent as many unresolved issues.
Deputy Mayor Laura Haight says she can’t believe any council would support the proposal with the current lack of compliance with the official plan.
The subdivision proposal and the developer’s appeal of the official plan goes before the Ontario Municipal Board on July 13th in Kincardine.