Land on Barrie’s borders has not escaped development pressures.
A case in point is the corner of 1005, 1025 Big Bay Point Rd. and Innisfil’s 20th Sideroad, land which also touches Mapleview Drive East in southeast Barrie.
Developer Blue Sky had the agricultural general and environmental protection (EP) zoning of the property changed to neighbourhood residential, open space and EP. There’s also approval for a draft plan of subdivision to permit the development of 756 residential units — 527 single-detached residences, 162 semi-detached residences and 134 street townhouses.
The plan includes an eventual transfer of nearly 18 acres of 'natural heritage system' land into public ownership.
But there’s more going on at this vast property of almost 126 acres.
“Archaeological work is being done in the area in support of development applications, such as this one and road works in the area,” said Michelle Banfield, Barrie’s director of development services. “The city will ultimately receive copies of these studies and they will be placed on the city’s website.”
Archaeological assessment work is currently being undertaken by the property owner in support of the draft plan of subdivision in the area. Stage 2 archaeological work was completed in 2021 and based on the results more work, including a Stage 3 and Stage 4 study, has been required.
As a result of the physical assessment of the study area one, a First Nations site was encountered, says Amick Consultants, an archaeology firm.
This site had been previously documented and registered as the McDonald site. Archaeological investigations are recommended for this site, as an analysis of the artifacts collected suggests it is of historical significance.
“The McDonald site ... is considered to be of high cultural heritage value, in that this site may provide significant insights into the pre-contact Aboriginal occupation of the area,” wrote Shari Prowse, archaeology review officer with Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, is a 2016 letter to Amick.
