Innisfil Town Council has approved an Official Plan amendment for the 1.3 hectare property at 1326 Innisfil Beach Road, that could lead to construction of a 137-unit, 4-storey apartment building and the repurposing of the historic ‘Wauchope House,’ currently raised up on steel beams.
On Wednesday night, council approved the redesignation of the lands from Neighbourhood Commercial Area and Residential Medium Density to Downtown Commercial Area, permitting mixed-use development.
The developer, 1326 Innisfil Beach Inc., is proposing a 4-storey apartment building, built in a u-shape at the rear of the property, with two storeys of commercial/office space fronting on Innisfil Beach Road. In the plans, the Wauchope House is shown as moved to the front of the commercial building, to serve as the entrance and lobby, accessing the residential units behind.
Two entrance/exit driveways are proposed along the 117 metre frontage, with both underground and surface parking on the property.
Before council approved the Official Plan Amendment, they heard from Tara Filteau, co-chair of the Parent Council at Alcona Glen Elementary School.
The school is located immediately to the east of the subject property. Her key concern: that the two entrances proposed and the increased traffic could pose a hazard to children walking to Alcona Glen.
The school has over 700 students, Filteau told council, making it “one of the largest schools in Simcoe County.”
It is also a walking school, she said. “About half of our students walk to and from school in front of 1326 Innisfil Beach Road.”
It is “simply not safe” to put the main entrance to the apartment complex and commercial units where so many students walk to school, Filtreau said.
Traffic is already a concern at the school, she told council. In just one 30 minute period, a former South Simcoe Police Deputy Chief observed 31 traffic violations in front of the school.
Filteau acknowledged that the developers have followed the Planning Act, but called it ‘misleading,’ and suggested that when a development is located “within a few feet away from an elementary school,” it can’t be considered in the same way as other projects on Innisfil Beach Road.
“Just because it’s allowed doesn’t make it right,” she said.
Filteau called on the developer to redesign the entrances, although a redesign at this point has been estimated as costing $1 million to 1.5 million. “We cannot prioritize the loss of revenue to a developer, over the safety of our children,” she said.
She added, “All that we ask is that you consider the safest possible options for this design, and please reconsider the entry and exit on this project.”
Mayor Lynn Dollin asked if the Alcona Glen Parent Council has “weighed in. Have we got a recommendation or a resolution from them?”
Filteau explained that the Parent Council, which has been on hiatus since the spring, will be meeting next week. At that time, it will consider a vote on a recommendation to bring to council.
She also presented a petition to council, with more than 180 signatures – which was challenged by Coun. Donna Orsatti.
Orsatti noted that a number of the signatories had addresses in British Columbia, one from the east coast, and “many from the city of Barrie.” Orsatti said that she would only consider the comments of local residents, but thanked Filteau for her hard work.
When the item came up later in the meeting, Coun. Orsatti noted that resolution before council only dealt with approval of the Official Plan Amendment.
“This is not about the entrance in and out,” the councillor said, but about the designation. She asked for clarification from Manager of Land Use Planning, Mary Nordstrom.
Nordstrom confirmed, “It is about use. It is not approving entrances or circulation or traffic. That’s to be dealt with through the concurrent site plan application.”
Nordstrom noted that Tatham Engineering has peer reviewed the Traffic Study for the project, and has already requested more information, and an update.
“Everybody is concerned with the safety of children, and how close this was to the school,” noted Orsatti, calling it unfortunate that the school board chose a site on a busy main street in Alcona. “Unfortunately, the town and taxpayers have to come up with solutions.”
Nordstrom said that while the Simcoe County District School Board had expressed ‘no concerns’ with the Official Plan Amendment, “they do have comments on the Site Plan, and remain actively engaged in the site plan process.” That will include a hard look at the entrances.
Council approved the Official Plan Amendment, which will now go to the county for approval.
“This site is purpose-built rental, which is something that is sorely needed in this town,” noted Mayor Dollin. “I’m sure a lot of residents will be happy to see the Wauchope house taken out of the sky.”
