• Council recently approved a subdivision plan for Eco Lake Homes’ Legacy 1.0 infill development.
  • The site sits against Ninth Line between Lakeshore Road and Coultice Drive in the Musselman’s Lake area.
  • The subdivision plan, available below, will see vacant lands converted to 11 residential lots with varying shapes and housing types.
  • While ongoing litigation over public water access has prevented the project from connecting to municipal water services, the installation of private wells and septic systems to service the new homes was approved last year.
  • That decision faced a great deal of public condemnation, though Staff are confident that related concerns have been adequately addressed.
  • Local homeowners have deeded access to Musselman’s Lake, and an additional block at the west end of the site will be set aside as a park to allow for it. Only those with deeded access can utilize the park.

While further detail of the proposed Block 13 community hub has not been put forward, the Region has decided against allowing any vehicular access to Ninth Line from the development beyond Coultice and Lakeshore. That block has been slated for development reserve, and further planning and approvals will be needed to see it move ahead.

Otherwise, “the proposed development is sympathetic to the existing surrounding context and makes efficient use of an under-utilized site within the community,” according to Staff’s report, which notes the plans ensure there are no impacts to local environmental features or adjacent properties. “Staff are satisfied that the proposed Draft Plan of Subdivision represents development that is in line with Provincial, Regional, and Local interest,” the report adds.

A woodland area along the southern portions of the property will be maintained, and a tree preservation boundary has been implemented. Eco Lake Homes has also committed to including title restrictions which will prohibit owners from encroaching or altering the wooded portions of their property, and a condition of their approvals requires the clear delineation of those restricted areas on each property.

Addressing community concerns regarding the added wells, Staff noted the Regional requirement that the wells be dug deep into the Thorncliffe aquifer, which is also accessed by the Region for water provision to area municipalities. The threat of contamination is also alleviated by utilizing the deep aquifer.

They also addressed flooding worries, saying no flooding concerns have been identified. “Staff will continue to review further technical information required to be submitted and reviewed as a condition of this draft approval to ensure that it is demonstrated that there will be no adverse impacts on adjacent lands as it relates to drainage and flooding,” the report states.

There is a long list of additional conditions that come with the approval. They can be viewed here.