OMB approves settlement - Scugog golf course infil

NRU
June 21, 2017
By Dominik Matusik

Yesterday the OMB approved a settlement authorizing the redevelopment of a former Port Perry golf course with 99 single-family homes, a four-storey seniors` complex, and parkland. At issue was built form compatibility with community demographics.

The 18.96-ha Canterbury Common golf course on Lake Scugog was purchased in 2015 by Geranium Corporation. Geranium initially proposed to build 124 detached homes on the former golf course. However, residents’ groups and the Township of Scugog took issue with the loss of greenspace, as well as the lack of housing mix and community benefits.

After the township failed to make a decision in the required timeframe, Geranium appealed its proposal to the OMB and in December 2016, Scugog council authorized staff to enter into mediation with Geranium, a nearby landowner and Canterbury Common Residents’ Association. The association governs the existing 241-home community at the centre of the former golf course through a restricted covenant.

Scugog CAO Paul Allore told NRU that the dispute was less about the number of units built as part of the redevelopment, and more about building something that fits within the context of the existing community.

“I think this proposal, from council’s perspective and the residents’ perspective, is more in keeping with the development we want to see on the land. So it’s less single [detached houses] but [ones] that will be in keeping with the existing development,” Allore says.

Allore adds that the settlement represents a mix of housing form which is better suited to the community’s demographics.

“The four-storey seniors’ building is something that’s very much needed in the community. They’re looking at it being either a seniors’ condo unit or the possibility of a condo unit that has independent living options plus more of a longer term care option. So this type of facility in the town is much needed and in that community, the residents of the community would like to transition from their existing housing into this type of housing. They’ve showed an interest in doing that,” Allore says.

“Through the mediation process, there were several discussions about what was needed to make it a better holistic community,” Scugog mayor Tom Rowett told NRU, adding that the new development [will] be part of the restricted covenant.

In addition to changing the housing mix and number of units, the settlement also secured a number of community benefits, including new trails and parkland, as well as an expansion of the golf course’s clubhouse.

Geranium also agreed to pay the full cost of the OMB expenses accrued by both the residents’ association as well as the township which, Rowett says, is crucial for a small municipality like Scugog.

Allore says that the settlement represents a “triplewin” compromise that satisfies the township, Geranium, and the residents.