Saugeen Shores council has approved a request for project timeline extension for the Cedar Crescent Village commercial development at Port Elgin’s main beach.
The permit deadlines will be extended by about 10 months, with a total completion date of September 2026 and council also approved Libro Credit Union as the leasehold mortgagee for development which the proponent expects could include a Dairy Queen in the first phase and a restaurant and pavilion in the second phase.
Five people who are opposed to the project made brief speeches to council during open forum at the start of Monday night’s council meeting, making use of the full 15 minutes allotted for open forum. Some expressed concern about building in the beach area, others criticized the delays the project has experienced and others scrutinized the financing arrangement for the project.
Councillors had a number of questions for Doninni and members of his development team, asking sometimes on behalf of residents and sharing some comments of concern they’ve received from residents. Of note, Doninni said he would own and operate the Dairy Queen as a franchisee. The larger restaurant will not be a late night 2 a.m. spot, closing earlier than midnight.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau says in a statement, “I am excited to see new enhancements and services at our waterfront contributing to a vibrant, welcoming and accessible experience for residents and visitors alike,” adding, “The construction of Cedar Crescent Village will add further offerings to our waterfront in Port Elgin, supporting our community’s growth, development and vision for the future.”
The Town says in a release, “The buildings and surrounding land will serve as an anchor for The Town’s Waterfront Master Plan, emphasizing pedestrian and active movement. It will also serve as the beginning of a larger opportunity to reorganize the area, to make land use, transportation and parking more efficient and more accessible.”
