Bracebridge councillor expresses concerns about allowing 10 story buildings

One councilor says the town has to densify

Bracebridge Councillor Archie Buie expresses concerns about the Official Plan amendments allowing development of 10 story buildings, in the July 9^th Council meeting.

Initially, Buie tried to get what he described as a “very aggressive” plan deferred so that he and other Council members had more time for a more thorough review of the 400+ page document, however, his amendment was outvoted. So, he expressed concerns about one of his most significant issues instead.

Buie said that he was against allowing 10 story buildings to be developed. He said, “You would be able to see it from anywhere in Bracebridge basically,” compared to the current 5 story buildings in the Town. He made an amendment to change the height limit to 7 stories instead, which also was outvoted by all members of Council.

Council members challenged his requests because they believed they spent enough time on the plan, and the process has engaged the public, community groups, school boards, health units, and the planning community.

Mayor, Rick Maloney, He said, “It’s a well thought out Official Plan.”

Staff advised that higher buildings (versus building outward) are ideal because they are less costly to build, use less land, and maintain more green space, which can also be used for parking.

Councillor, Tatania Sutherland, said, “It’s our responsibility to move it along,” and expressed the importance of giving eager builders the opportunity to move forward with housing projects. She also expressed that allowing 10-story buildings “isn’t unreasonable.”

Buie argued that Council can approve 7 stories now and “can decide ‘yes, the community is prepared to accept 10, 15, 20 stories in Bracebridge,’” later.

He also asserted that the Town needs to build more smaller and affordable homes. He said, “We tend to see too many big homes being build by the subdividers and possibly that’s because there’s more money to be made by building a bigger home than a smaller home.”

He added, “I’m concerned about how it’s going to affect the quality of the Town, in my opinion, as far as the small Town feel we have here, and the amount of infilling that’s going to happen and how the neighbours are going to feel about that.” He suggested that it will “make Bracebridge more of a small metropolitan in the long-term future,” and compromises the green space available.

Director of Planning Services, Matt Holmes, advised that there is policy that addresses the character of the Town, and development designations, and maintaining the historic nature of areas. He added, “This is a 30-year plan… I think we always have to be looking to what we’re going to be looking like 30 years into the future.”

Council also discussed the challenge of maintaining local policy with provincial legislation, and potential impacts, such as whether the Town’s existing fire trucks can service 10 story buildings, the transportation system, and climate change.

Councillor, Debbie Vernon, expressed the importance of being mindful about global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. She said, “By intensifying our core areas in Town and building up and relying less on fossil fuels to get us around I think is a good thing. It will help us meet our 2030 commitments to the climate.”

Deputy Mayor, Brenda Rhodes, said, “Our community does need to change and unfortunately, [ands] fortunately, it has to densify a little bit more.”

Buie said that he has talked to many people that have the same concerns as he does, however, accepted that “majority rules.”

The Official Plan will go to the District of Muskoka for review, and then staff will bring it back to Council for endorsement.

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