Two of the three councillors who voted down the request for Phase 4 of the Living Waters Resort development during the development and operations services standing committee last week changed their minds when it came time to vote at the council stage this week.
As a result, the fourth amendment to the site plan control agreement will be proceeding as scheduled. The agreement is to permit the construction of Phase 4 of the hotel which would consist of 49 suites (37 as lock-out suites), and an 883 square-foot amenity space to be used as a theatre.
“Having an opportunity to think and reflect over the past week, specifically my comments made last week as it relates to the entire project... I do so with the thought that, the idea of a phased-in community is not new to our area,” said Hull, adding that the Village at Blue Mountain Resort also used a phased-in approach that changed over time.
To read councillor comments from the committee meeting last week, click here.
“Perhaps the same thing will happen here. I’m sure it will in some form or another,” said Hull. “I have to take the developer’s word. When Phase 5 and the Bear Estate comes back to this table, members of the public can hold me accountable, and I will be asking questions as it relates to those specific requests.”
At the committee phase, Coun. Kathy Jeffery, Coun. Deb Doherty and Deputy Mayor Hull all voted against the amendment.
Don Brommet on behalf of Mariners Haven, Jeff Newton and George Irwin on behalf of SOS Collingwood, Colin Travis, planner on behalf of Larry Law and Larry Law, owner of Living Waters Resort all gave deputations where they re-iterated many of the points made during the committee meeting on the development.
But it was councillors who added new questions and information to the conversation this time around.
Coun. Yvonne Hamlin made the point that some of the drawings for Phase 4 include a wall that would eventually abut the Phase 5 component, arguing the two phases couldn’t completely be severed during the conversation.
“What I see is basically, a blank wall,” said Hamlin. “My next question would be...can we be making some suggestions for fixing up this wall?”
“Because it’s going to be pretty butt-ugly,” she said with a laugh. “I would like reassurance that we have dealt with all the issues brought forward about Phase 4.”
Director of planning Nancy Farrer said council could make suggestions, adding that planning staff has addressed all issues raised by parties regarding Phase 4.
“As far as the Phase 4 issues, they have been addressed. Whether it’s the parking calculations, even the people from Mariners Haven agreed that the Phase 4 parking plans are OK,” said Farrer.
Jeffery outlined her reasoning for switching her vote.
“I will be voting against the committee’s recommendation to deny. I think that we have to operate within Phase 4. We can’t determine what goes forward. The developer has asked for Phase 4 at his peril, in terms of where we’re at with our Official Plan review and our zoning bylaw reviews,” said Jeffery.
Jeffery asked Farrer if there was anything in the approval of Phase 4 that could tie council’s hands or require a specific outcome in Phase 5 or Bear Estate.
“Not that I’m aware of,” said Farrer.
“I have to have a clear, confident opinion knowing that whatever happens in Phase 5 or the Bear Estate was not predicated by the approval at Phase 4. I want to know that outright,” said Jeffery.
Mayor Brian Saunderson re-iterated that he was the lone vote at the committee level to allow the amendment.
“I did that because it was only Phase 4. I absolutely agree with SOS Collingwood, Mr. Newton and Mr. Irwin when they said regulatory certainty is the order of the day,” said Saunderson. “The application before us today absolutely and completely complies with our current regulatory situation. In my opinion, there is no basis on which to deny this application.”
Council voted to approve the Phase 4 site plan amendment, while adding an amendment acknowledging that the approval for Phase 4 should not have any implications or guarantee any part of approval for potential Phase 5 or Bear Estates development. The amendment was carried unanimously.
The main motion was passed by a vote of 6-3 with Councillors Doherty, Tina Comi and Hamlin opposed.
