2020 Vision: 5 take-action items for Georgina

Town unfolds Airbnbs, backyard chickens, MURC, cannabis and waterfront plans in 2020

Yorkregion.com
January 7, 2020
Amanda Persico

While 2019 was the year of plans, plans and more plans, 2020 will be Georgina’s year of action and a first in many regards.

Here are items that made big news over the course of 2019 and will continue to have a greater impact in 2020.

Vacation mode:
After several summers of back-and-forths between residents and vacation rental hosts, recently the town approved short-term rentals accommodations (STRA) through a new licensing program.

The town will only grant 150 licences and has imposed a 100-metre buffer between one registered short-term rental unit and another.

Part of the licensing program, which officially opens Jan. 1, includes a Renter’s Code of Conduct and a demerit point system against STRAs for bylaw infractions.

While the made in Georgina move is welcomed by STRA hosts, many residents are still on the fence about how effective the new program will be and how many STRAs will continue to operate illegally.

Get the cluck out:
The chicken is out of the bag and Georgina residents can apply for a backyard hen licence under the new pilot project.

According to the town, close to 500 residents participated in a survey, of which about 67 per cent were in favour of allowing backyard hens.

Georgina OKs Airbnb, VRBO rentals: What you need...
The new chicken-and-the-egg pilot project will span over the next two years where three hen permits will be granted per ward. Council also voted to add a 100-metre buffer between permits and residents can keep a maximum of four hens per property.

Let us play:
The town expects the first of three phases for the Waterfront Parks master plan by the end of 2020.

That $125,000 investment is to hopefully include solutions for overcrowding and parking at the town’s most popular beach destinations: Willow Beach, De La Salle and Holmes Point as well as a business plan for the Jackson’s Point Harbour Marina and a comprehensive list outlining the condition of all town-owned waterfront assets such as wharves, piers, road ends, wetlands and rivers.

Not to mention, the town is still ironing out the details of private beach access for homes along Lake Drive.

Big Reveal:
Recently the town approved the concept design for the $42-million multi-use recreation complex, located on the westside of Woodbine Avenue between Glenwoods Avenue and Ravenshoe Road.

The design incorporates three distinct places, a library, gym and pool, all under one uniquely designed roof with a community hub in the middle of the three wings. Using natural materials and water-coloured textures and patterns, the design is to mimic a roof over water.

The MURC is to be home of a new discovery library, full gym with a walking track, a multitude of community spaces, meeting and multipurpose rooms, a swimming pool and a dedicated therapy pool.

Pending continued design elements, residents can expect to see shovels in the ground later this year.

Design of the new civic centre will also be underway.

All Lit Up:
The town recently started the process of amending its general zoning bylaws to include cannabis production facilities.

The amendment would include provisions for growing cannabis as a crop in rural areas as a designated or licensed producer and for production facilities in industrial zones, which includes research, testing and development.

The town is hosting several public meetings in spring 2020 with the hopes of rolling out new cannabis production site plan control provisions in time for planting season.