Land swap proposed under Jackson's Point harbour redevelopment plan

YorkRegion.com
Sept. 7, 2017
Heidi Riedner

The preferred plan for redevelopment of the Jackson’s Point harbour floated by consultants after a four-month, $101,000 process went over like a lead anchor with most of the public gathered at an open house at the Ramada Aug. 30.

The plan will be tabled at council Sept. 19, but a recommended land swap between the town and MSR-Lalu that exchanges portions of parkland for channel and waterfront area didn’t sit well with a group of area residents. They started a petition to save Bonnie Park as well as made numerous presentations to council during the past four months taking the town to task over both its process and for using the town park as a bargaining chip with developers.

“I can’t say that I’m surprised, but I’m disappointed nonetheless,” said Paul Brady, whose worst fears were realized with the potential land swap.

Since the town-owned land in Bonnie Park is more valuable than MSR-Lalu land because of its greater suitability for development, a land exchange at minimal cost could be negotiated that would include potential revenue from MSR as well as enhance public waterfront access, said consultants.

Shore wall improvements, soil remediation, servicing upgrades, cost sharing and terms for York Regional Police’s marine unit headquarters were some of the items to be considered for discussions with MSR-Lalu as part of the land swap.

As a developer, MSR-Lalu owner Sunny Matharoo said he would like to be involved in rejuvenating the area, but if the town didn’t want to work with him, his company would find another solution.

That means either selling the small strip of channel property left over from the property acquired by the region for York Regional Police’s marine unit headquarters or holding on to it.

“We got in to this knowing that was a challenging strip of land,” Matharoo said, adding his company’s main goal was working with YRP on the headquarters.

“The question for us is if this is the chosen path, how do we play a role in it,” he added.

Highly critical of a town process he called a “done deal” from the start, Wayne Phillips says the preferred option doesn’t make economic sense, especially considering the condition of the channel wall and significant environmental remediation required for the former marina site.

“Even after remediation, the cost to the town to turn what is now a concrete jungle into prime parkland would be substantial.”

Phillips added that, with so many variables and unknowns identified by consultants, council is basically being asked to approve a conglomeration of unknowns — not a plan — on Sept. 19.

“It is ludicrous to proceed any further without clarity around these items so that there is understanding of the likelihood of any implementation of the plan.”

The absence of any boat launch in the plan won’t likely float with those interested in promoting boating, either for recreation or tourism purposes.

To view the plan and TPP work to date, visit the town’s website and click on Jackson’s Point Harbour Redevelopment.