CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly indicated the owner of the development as Dunn Capital Corporation. The Town of Collingwood has confirmed that though Dunncap is technically a joint applicant on the file, they are not the primary applicant and were not involved in any discussions with the town and main proponent on the extension request. Dunncap has specified its involvement is only related to access for the development. CollingwoodToday apologizes for the error.
Council gave preliminary approval this week to pump the brakes on a major development that has held up roadwork and lights on High Street for eight years while the land sits empty.
At their committee of the whole meeting on Sept. 9, councillors voted in favour of letting a plan of subdivision for 20 High St. and 530 Third Street lapse, which was originally granted back in 2016 and was extended once already by the town in 2021. Approval for the plan is currently set to expire on Sept. 29.
The primary applicant for the development is a numbered company, 2204604 Ontario Inc.
While staff were recommending granting an 18-month extension, council chose a different direction.
“I’m inclined to support letting this application lapse,” said Coun. Deb Doherty during Monday’s meeting. “The lateness of the request for the extension was a message from the developer that they are not overly enthused by the application as it sits right now.”
Officially called the Regional Commercial District, the original draft plan from 2016 for 21 hectares on west side of High Street includes five blocks for commercial/industrial uses, one block for road widening, three blocks to facilitate protection of a natural heritage feature, and a future extension of Cambridge Street connecting to Third Street. The land abuts both the Collingwood Walmart and Home Depot.
Draft plans of subdivision are typically reserved for large-scale developments that seek to develop entire neighbourhoods at once. These plans include an overall plan for the entire land parcel, as well as a future phasing plan.
Staff noted in their presentation that the developer provided comment as part of the work the town did on the Official Plan last year to ask that the land in question be rezoned as a mixed-use designation to combine residential and commercial.
“(Letting it lapse) would take some of the workload away from our staff until such time as they’re ready to come back and resubmit,” said Doherty.
Coun. Christopher Baines agreed.
“There’s a lot left undone by this application at this point,” he said.
According to the report compiled by Collingwood planner Steve Stone, town staff have characterized the progress toward clearing the conditions of draft approval as “limited” since 2016.
The report notes the applicant admits that engineering work on the site remains incomplete, a firm agreement with the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is outstanding, and co-ordination between the town and EPCOR is needed to address matters related to hydro pole re-alignment on High St.
“The applicant indicates delays were related to a challenging and evolving commercial retail market, including a shift towards online stores, and the ongoing municipal water constraints within the Town of Collingwood, leading to a level of uncertainty,” wrote Stone in the report. “Further, limited progress has been demonstrated since the last extension in 2021 and the policy and legislative landscapes are changing significantly.”
Baines reiterated the still-to-do list during his remarks.
“It seems like a better and more rational use of the town’s and applicant’s resources to get their ducks in a row before coming back,” he said.
Coun. Kathy Jeffery said she was in support of extending approval for another 18 months.
“I think after 18 months, then we consider lapsing it. We’re waiting for all of these other things anyway and I don’t think it speeds it up,” she said, adding that she gets a lot of comments about a lack of lights at High and Third St.
“The slower this moves, the worse it is,” said Jeffery.
Coun. Chris Potts said he was under the impression that any redevelopment of High St. hinged on this development, and asked how lapsing the draft plan would impact High St. improvement timelines.
Director of Public Works, Engineering and Environment Peggy Slama said Potts was correct in his assumptions.
“For many years, staff have been pausing work on this intersection and parts of High St. with the understanding that this development would move forward,” said Slama.
She said as part of the 2025 budget, a new plan would be proposed for the town to move forward with improvements on High. St. between Second and Fifth in the shorter term, likely by 2028.
“It’s pretty clear that the owner is not working on this currently. Nothing is happening,” said Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. “It’s a different proposal that will come forward. There will have to be a different layout of the subdivision, and different services. This will be a complete overhaul. I think we should put this to an end and let the applicant start fresh when he’s ready.”
At the end of discussion, council voted 5-3 in favour of allowing the approval to lapse on Sept. 29, with Jeffery, Potts and Coun. Brandon Houston opposed. Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer declared a conflict on the matter.
Decisions made during committee of the whole must be ratified at the next regular council meeting before going into effect, which is expected on Sept. 23.
