Ontario Construction News staff writer
A resort developer is hoping Innisfil council will approve a zoning-bylaw amendment to change the location of a proposed six-storey hotel. The plan was the subject of a special council meeting on May 19.
The Big Bay Point Resort Secondary Plan set out phasing for construction of the resort. Phase 1, which is now completed, included construction of a golf course and club house, marina, nature preserve, and 12.6 kilometres of trails and boardwalks.
Phase 2 of the development included construction of 12,770 square metres of retail and commercial space, 17,400 sq. m. of indoor and outdoor recreational facility space, 1,350 residential units, and amenities that include a minimum of 200 hotel rooms, and a conference facility.
“At a time when so many businesses have scaled back or gone dark, municipalities are saddled with reduced revenues and increase costs (Friday Harbour) has committed to ‘staying the course,” Cheryl Shindruk, executive vice president, Geranium Homes said in a presentation at the council meeting.
The Lake Club, amphitheatre and resort admin centre total a $60 million investment in the town.
“The application before you today is intended to allow continued and further investment,” Shindruk said.
So far, building permits have been issued for 1,190 of the planned residential units and another 60 units are planned – leaving 100 units still to be constructed. An amphitheatre is expected to open in the area this summer and a new resort administration centre is under construction now.
Residents opposed to the rezoning say they are concerned about traffic, the height of the hotel and the impact that increased development will have on Lake Simcoe and the lifestyle and values of Big Bay Point.
The subject lands have an approximate frontage of 788 metres on Big Bay Point Road, and a total area of about 63 hectares and over the last decade the area has undergone regional and local official plan and zoning by-law amendments to:
- permit an additional 1,000 resort residential units
- refine the areas where resort commercial, conference facilities and recreational amenities may be located
- clarify the important role of outdoor spaces in delivering or supporting retail and service commercial and recreational uses
- permit the refinement of the road network to better align with detailed design
The application is to relocate the site of the resort hotel and rezone part of the property to permit a 250-unit residential building with a minimum height of two storeys and a maximum height of six storeys.
In a report, town staff voiced concern about the impact of the relocation on traffic management, and especially the timeline for construction of the hotel.
No decision was made on Wednesday and a staff recommendation will be reported to council in a few weeks.