Disclosure: This Newspaper is owned by Joe Kowalski, and the Editor is employed by him to produce the Whitewater News.
The Council of the Township of Whitewater Region heard a report that asked that they “having given consideration of the preliminary development proposal for the property described as Part of Lot 13, Ross Concession 11, provide the following direction: That the approval authority is satisfied that the development can proceed by consent (severance) applications; that a development agreement be prepared for Council consideration relating to the transfer of the fire access route pursuant to the development of the private road; and that the list of required reports and studies listed in this report be provided to the proponent.”
Planner Burton said that the report was seeking direction from Council.
“The next step, I would stay, was that Mr. Kowalski will have to enter into agreement with the council or apply for severances, which would have to be approved by the Council separately.”
Burton said that the redevelopment into these regions for ten individual properties for ‘seasonal homes’.
He said that the eastern property was the Whitewater Village Cottage Club, with eight distinct cottages with potential for one more, and that the club had ‘expressed some concerns with access’.
He said the peninsula was originally intended to be developed with ‘numerous time shares’ numbering nineteen cottages.
“The development proponent for these cottages no longer exists” Burton said. “and the owner is requesting severances.”
He said there was no addition of public roads but surveys are required as part of the application, but staff were supportive of the application.
He also said that there is a strip of land owned by the township used as a fire route that would be repurposed into an access road.
“At this time, the council was hesitant to allow development of the cottage club without access to a municipal road.”
He said part of the project would realign the fire route, and the proponent would maintain a private road for this purpose, leading through former Wilderness Tours.
Burton also provided a list of studies as part of conditions of approval.
“Not too long ago, there were thousands of people attending this property.” Chris Olmstead said. “During the last three or four years, this property has gone unused. I think this is a good use of this property.”
Councillor Nicholson said the fire road was an ‘innovative way’ to solve the access issue, but asked for clarification on the wastewater services section, and that the units would have their own septic systems, which Burton confirmed.
Burton said that “We want to make sure the Village Club retains their access for forever and a day”, and that there would be specific policies for who gets to use the road and how the costs for its maintenance is distributed.
Nicholson said that the original corporation that was developing the area no longer exists, and was supportive of the new development “as long as we can have it very clear, and it’s not dependent on companies being in existence.”
He expressed concern on recycling pickup in the area, which Burton said that there could be an accommodation by the developer for storage of recycling for pickup.
“I think it goes a long way to support this private road initiative.” Nicholson said.
Councillor Nicholson asked how Burton would inform other developers in similar situations.
Burton said that the development of a planned subdivision is “a very onerous and very costly process” but it was suitable in this case.
Councillor McLaughlin agreed with Councillor Jackson and Olmstead on studies needing to be done with this development, and felt ‘a firm hand was required’.
Reeve Regier said she agreed, and said that “We could get carried away with these developments, and I hope the Committee of Adjustment will take a hard look at this.”
The motion was carried.
