A public presentation during a Meaford Council meeting has brought attention to a proposed development project that would include nearly 250 residential units, a five-storey hotel and a spa.
The presentation on May 17 was held by Skyline Skydev, a Canadian development business who has had a hand in multiple residential and commercial developments in small to mid-sized communities across the province.
Named Knight’s Harbour, the 2.42 hectares of land Skyline is looking to develop is situated between Meaford’s waterfront — owned by the Municipality — Fuller Street and Boucher Street East.
The Knight’s Harbour project would be composed of four areas:
-A five storey hotel and spa, featuring 78 parking spaces
-Two two-storey townhouses, accommodating 28 units
-Two five-storey apartment buildings, with 150 units
-Three five-storey townhouses (four storey with a rooftop amenity), holding 90 units
Meaford’s Official Plan indicates the maximum building height can be no more than three storeys and increased to a max of five storeys.
In addition, Skyline is proposing a boardwalk behind the hotel and spa by Georgian Bay, as well as outdoor amenities towards the south-western part of the development.
Skyline notes in its presentation the proposed boardwalk would be available for pedestrians and cyclists, and would be designed and constructed by Meaford.
In a Planning Justification Report, Skyline says the combination of rental and owner-occupied tenures, as well as a possible hotel setting up in the future with commercial uses, will support Downtown Meaford and promote pedestrian connectivity around and through the site.
During the question and answer period, several concerns were raised by residents who called into question how the development would benefit the community and how it would increase the population density of the area, devalue the area, and how parts of the development plan goes against Meaford’s official plan and building guidelines.
“Skyline should go back to the drawing board,” says one resident.
In response to the criticisms and concerns raised from residents, Skyline Development Vice-President Carrie Lamarck says both residents and the company can agree the location is a great site, and to that end, they have the same objective in mind, to create the development that Meaford needs.
“We think we will add to the community and not subtract,” says Lamarck.
Referencing some of the concerns raised like density and building height, Principal Planner from the GSP Group Chris Pigeon says he felt those key topics were addressed to the specific qualifications needed, but notes the comments from residents indicate otherwise, and they have some work to do.
The next steps for Skyline are to make adjustments to the planning justification report and to address the Vacant Land Condominium application as well as to the traffic study for the summer high season.
Skyline says applications are in circulation to all agencies and municipal departments for review and comment, and they will be submitting a Formal Site Plan Application for the development of the site within the next few weeks.
To move ahead with the development, Skyline notes they will need five applications:
-Zoning Chance Application, which regulates the use of the lands. This application is process and is granted under the municipality’s approval.
-Vacant Land Application, provides common ownership of internal roadways, services and landscaped spaces. This application is in process and is granted under Grey County’s approval.
-Site Plan Application, explains the exterior of all buildings, landscaping, grading, servicing, sidewalks, driveways, and lighting. This is a future application to be pursued.
-Building Permit Application, details the buildings’ interior. This is a future application to be pursued.
-Standard Condominium Application for Townhouses. This is a future application to be pursued.
A staff report will be put together by Meaford Planning Staff detailing a recommendation of the Vacant Land Condominium, after which council will hold a meeting to consider the applications.
