Today's Weather
Light snow and -10°C
>>more weather info
Alliston Herald

Bruce Hain Innisfil Journal

Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope says he doesn't support building stores and businesses near Innisfil Beach Park.

Don't put condos near park: residents

November 18, 2009 17:11

The possibility of stores and condo units near Innisfil Beach Park created contention Tuesday at a public information session about the reconstruction of Innisfil Beach Road (IBR).

Several residents wanted do to know if mixed-use/residential zoning would apply to the south side of IBR, running east of the 25th Sideroad to the Lake Simcoe.

Held at Town Hall, the session was staged to allow the public to examine possible landscaping designs for the entire length of IBR from the 20th Sideroad east to Lake Simcoe, said Tammy Kalimootoo of consulting firm Ainley and Associates. The second portion was to discuss the municipal class environmental assessment process needed for the project to be completed.

“One of the biggest things is to get public comment today,” Kalimootoo said. “It’s a $30 million project and everything is subject to council approval.”

But it was the possibility of the commercial condominium project that created the most concern.

While not on any drawing boards at the session, homeowners who live near the entrance to Innisfil Beach Park wanted to know the status of four-storey buildings to be constructed facing the park. These buildings would contain businesses on the ground floor.

Mayor Brian Jackson assured some residents that the land, which now contains older cottage-style homes, has not be rezoned.

Herb Dietrich of Crystal Beach Road, just north of the park, said, “I’ve been visiting the park for more than 50 years. I think it’s a very real threat. The park is 75 acres and very unique. Commercial stores with condos above would lead to a Wasaga Beach thing. We don’t want that across from the park. I think most residents feel that way.”

“I don’t want to see stores down by the park,” Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope said to Dietrich and several onlookers. “I would rather see residential.”
“I feel much better hearing that,” Dietrich replied.

Sharon Stewart of Lakelands Avenue said, “I love the park. I don’t want commercial. I don’t want condominiums or town homes, just single family residential. It would be good if someone came along and rebuilt with a nautical look.”

Stewart said she had attended a September meeting at Town Hall where four-storey buildings were proposed, “and bars and maybe metered parking,” she added.

Her husband, Tom, said, “The Town takes $20 or $25 from non-residents to use the park and then it’s full and Innisfil residents can’t get in. Their main concern is to fill the park and make money. We’re the ones who paid taxes for the park.”

Mayor Jackson said any zoning for the area hasn’t come before council yet.
“It’s completely separate from the roadwork,” Jackson said. “There’s been some talk about commercial development from the park to the 25th. If there’s any change in zoning, it will come before council. It’s not on the immediate radar. We need to review, and assess, how we’ll do that.”

Local realtor Igor Vujovic, who is also represents the Alcona Business Association (ABA) on a town committee that drafted plans for IBR, said the ABA “supports the Town in improving the downtown core which will improve the livelihood of businesses. We also support a balance between residential and commercial development.”
Vujovic noted that as a realtor, “The value of these properties will increase, and the residents of Crystal Beach Road, and Lakelands and Adams Road will benefit. I share the concerns of the homeowners and they have to be addressed.”
However, he added, “The downtown was visioned to bring people down to the lake and it will bring more traffic. The reality is the town is changing.”

|
Register User
More Innisfil Journal Articles

A timeout may stop incessant barking
The top three motivators for barking for no apparent reason are: anxiety due to insecurities, looking for attention (even negative attention is...

The funny thing about discovering humour
Her sense of what is funny is growing more sophisticated by the day, and I can’t help but feel heartened by her appreciation for things that make us...

Teen threatens death

Passion for history pays off

And the winners are ...
Innisfil Chamber of Commerce announces best businesses

Van T-boned by milk truck
Drivers shaken up, but not injured

Picture perfect fundraiser
INNISFIL — Our goal is to photograph 500 children from across Simcoe County

Public meetings on future of waste next week
SIMCOE COUNTY - A number of concerned residents of three communities selected by Simcoe County for public consultation sessions on a new strategy for...

Alcona Glen crosswalk finally coming
“First they said September, then it was Thanksgiving, then it was Christmas and it still isn’t here.”

Evita comes to Georgian College stage
BARRIE - The Kempenfelt Community Players bring Andrew Lloyd Weber’s hit Evita to the stage for their latest production.



Metroland
Privacy Policy - Copyright © 2010 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
SIMCOE.COM is an online publication serving the communities of Barrie, Alliston, Collingwood/Wasaga Beach, Wasaga, Stayner and Orillia in central Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved. Reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission or republication of any material from simcoe.com is strictly prohibited without prior written permission from Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Torstar Digital