Close to 200 people attended the virtual Minett Public Meeting on May 28th. The public was invited to comment on the draft Minett Official Plan Amendment, the policy document that will govern development in Minett.
The draft Minett policy is a huge step forward for our community. It provides for less than half of the number of units that were allowed when Friends of Muskoka was formed in 2017, and includes stronger environmental policies taken from the work of the Minett Joint Policy Review Steering Committee. We owe this to the Interim Control By-law that paused development in 2018 while the Minett Steering Committee studied the area, and to Mr. Mitchell Goldhar who purchased the Clevelands House property in 2019 and took it out of the hands of Freed Developments to prevent a 2800+ unit development.
Friends of Muskoka and the MLA presented the results of our survey that has now been answered by more than 1700 people. THANK YOU for participating. Our community spoke with one voice. Many questions garnered 85%+ support for the same outcome. Your voices have been heard and the message is clear: the Muskoka community is supportive of redevelopment of the Clevelands House Lands provided it is done responsibly with minimal effects on Muskoka’s natural environment and character.
Mr Goldhar’s concept plan for the Clevelands House property was presented at the public meeting by his representative, Ms. Paula Bustard. The rendering details approximately 500 units which she described as low impact, sustainable, walkable and integrated into nature.
Working with our team of lawyers and planners, we also submitted recommended changes to the draft policy language to ensure tighter, clearer policies that better reflect what you told us is important to you.
Many speakers voiced their concerns about the scale of development permitted by the draft policies and its potential impact on everything from road and boating safety to the environmental, visual and character changing impacts. Others asked us to trust that what Mr. Goldhar builds will be in keeping with Muskoka’s character and have minimal negative effects.
We look forward to working with Council, planners and Mr Goldhar’s team to set the policy and by-laws that will govern Minett’s future, and guide development at resorts across the District. A Planning Committee meeting will be held in July to consider the public’s feedback from both the May 28th meeting and many written submissions and determine appropriate policies. Stay tuned. We will let you know how you can help!
Public Meeting Recording (delegations start at 55:00)
Summary Survey Results (pdf )
Key Policy Recommendations (pdf)
COMMUNITY ASKS FOR STRONGER POLICIES AT MINETT PUBLIC MEETING
