Langmaid’s Island development proposal ought to be scaled back, say Huntsville councillors
Langmaids Island - Muskoka Canada •
The extent of development being proposed on Langmaid’s Island in Lake of Bays is raising concerns not just among surrounding residents, but Huntsville’s Planning Committee members as well.
•
The owners of Langmaid’s Island, which is roughly 147 acres and consists of two land masses, have also purchased an additional mainland property to help provide access and parking to the island. Their proposal involves the creation of 36 island lots to be developed with single residential homes.
•
According to planning documents listed on the Township of Lake of Bays’ website, the frontage of the proposed lots would range in size from 295.9 feet to a maximum size of 1,039.3 feet. The development would have access from the mainland at 3933 South Portage Road, which is a vacant lot roughly 0.25 acres in size that has historically served as access for the island. The proponents have also secured access from 4215 South Portage Road, which is roughly 2.89 acres and contains a tourist establishment known as Beauview Cottage Resort.
Langmaid's island •
Three municipalities will be involved in the planning approval process. The Township of Lake of Bays would have to approve the proposed island development, which would require an Official Plan amendment as well as a close analysis of the impact such a development would have on the designated heritage areas of the island. The District Municipality of Muskoka is responsible for plans of subdivision associated with the creation of separate island lots, while the lands intended for parking and access to the island fall under the jurisdiction of the Town of Huntsville, where the island access lots on South Portage Road are located.
•
Town of Huntsville Manager of Planning Process, Kirstin Maxwell, told Huntsville’s Planning Committee at its June 13 meeting that as far as the planning process is concerned, approvals would first have to come from both the Township of Lake of Bays and the District, before committee makes a recommendation on zoning amendment requirements for the properties on South Portage Road.
•
Huntsville Planning Committee meeting opinion on what’s being proposed on the island: There’s not as much stewardship when you slice it all up and hope that everyone takes care of their parcel. Environmental constraints are really about the whole. There are many constraints around waterfront and there are many factors to consider when dividing property up… just because you paid a lot of money and damned the torpedoes, I get to do this, I have lots of money – you shouldn’t always expect to have the full rein to develop at your whim.
Alcock added that there is also a buyer beware element to the development of that particular island. “In this situation there were identified natural heritage areas and there are some physical constraints, barriers on this property. I’m not saying that there shouldn’t be any development, absolutely not, but I don’t think anyone should assume (anything),” she said, adding that those buying an island such as Langmaid’s should look at the history, surrounding properties and all constraints involving the island.
langmaids island lake of bays sold “I echo all of that,” said Alcock, who was sitting beside Wiebe during the informal discussion following the Huntsville Planning Committee meeting. “From my perspective, it was hard for me not to have an opinion in a way because there was one report that was presented that suggested that they’re okay with the development, but they scaled it back from 36 to about 10 or 12 (lots) and the reason for that is they identified very clearly the areas that should not be developed at all.” Alcock was referring to a report put together by a consultant hired to examine the proposal. “I thought that was quite interesting because the way the plan of subdivision is now, it seems to blanket the entire Langmaid’s Island, even though there’s a recognition that there are some areas that are truly conservation, or natural heritage, or have features that are really important and there was this recognition that there are these areas, but somehow they’re divided into all of these private lots.” She said a revised plan would absolutely need to take those special areas into consideration.