Huyck Bay Estates

Rural-style subdivision proposed

Apublic Zoom meeting held last week outlined the plans for a unique rural-style subdivision to potentially be located on Huyck’s Point Road. Ray Essiambre of Ray Essiambre and Associates Ltd. led attendees through the plan, as well as the stages of the proposed project. Managing partners Dave Christopher and Leah Jensen from Belleville recently purchased the property, and are hoping to build their own home, plus add an additional 11 lots, ranging in size from .8 hectares to 32 hectares. Essiambre says it will be a very rural type development with the desire to protect and maintain the environment that is on the site. Currently, the proponents have had a consultation meeting with County staff, and are undertaking a public engarment process.

The subject lands are located at 1092 Huyck’s Point Road, and are just under 50 hectares in size. The property has water frontage on Huyck’s Bay, and abuts residential development to the south. Immediately to the east is rural residential development and a farm, and a significant part of the property is environmentally protected land. Essiambre said studies, including an environmental assessment, are currently underway. The current Official Plan (OP) designation for the property is shoreland. Within the shoreland designation, residential development is permitted with plan of subdivision and by consent. The developer is on a strict timeline, as County council has approved a new Official Plan, which just needs to be approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. As such, the County has given a date of July 6 for the new changes to take effect. “The date is extremely important for everyone. The County is in the process of their new OP and it has gone to council. It doesn’t become a legal document until the Minister of Municipal Affairs approves it. It could take months, but the County chose a date on when they think the minister might approve it,” explained Essiambre, who said it is a bit of a horserace to get this application approved and filed before the date.

“The idea here is to keep the site as pristine as possible,” said Essiambre, who said that the current boundary of the wetland will likely change after the site study, and then a 30-metre buffer zone will be added. Essiambre explained that only two lots can be severed from the property, and whatever is not created through the severance process will be created by a plan of subdivision. The main road into the development would be a condominium road, meaning the County would not be responsible for maintaining the road or creating it. Essiambre noted that in terms of projects, this one seems fairly straightforward. “It’s complex in a sense that we have many studies that need to be done, but in terms of the layout, it is fairly simple and influenced greatly by the natural environment that is there,” he said.

Paul, a Huyck’s Point Road resident asked how he and others could be sure that the 12-lot plan wouldn’t be increased. Essiambre said it’s just not possible. “Given the environmental area and all the limitations on the area, I don’t think it’s possible to increase the lot numbers,” he said.

Another resident asked if the plan was to build houses or just sell lots. Essiambre explained that the owner is a contractor, so they may build some themselves, but they will likely be higher end builds. “I think given the cost of land these days, whatever happens will be more upper end than anything,” he said, adding that there are no price points in place yet.

A hot-button issue of the meeting was dedicated parkland. Essiambre shared that more often than not, in a rural subdivision, the municipality takes cash in lieu of parkland for a park to be developed elsewhere, where needed. Joseph, a local resident, believed it should be dedicated to those living in the Huyck’s Point Road community. “I think that if a development of this scale is being proposed in our neighbourhood, it is important that the parkland dedication also be in our neighbourhood and not taken as cash in lieu. Even though the lots are large, there is a significant need for parkland to serve our own community,” he said.

Another resident was worried how the addition of more homes might hinder his water supply. “I would rather do without electricity than without water. What happens if you run my well dry?” he asked. “When people are hurrying, there is a real concern they are trying to pull a fast one.” Essiambre said they never want to get to the point where someone’s well goes dry. “The well drillers are out there now completing a hydrogeological study. If the study is not favourable, then it simply doesn’t go ahead,” said Essiambre, who also added they aren’t rushing through the entire process. “We are rushing to file the application, but after July 6, we have a two- to three-year process. A lot of meetings and a lot of discussions will happen on the ground before this can be approved.”

Former County CAO Robert Macaulay asked about the loss of trees to make way for homes. “You said you have an environmental assessment being done, but I am wondering if you are having a natural heritage assessment being done as well. There is a large block of treed land here that is going to affect at least four lots. And council has been certainly in tune to preservation of treed areas the last few years. They have been trying to preserve them and have been making moves in the way.” Essiambre said the developer is trying to stay away from clearing trees and where they can, they will augment them. “For the large part, there are no trees on the actual lots, besides some hedgerows. I think the natural heritage will be covered off in the Environmental study and arborist report,” he said, adding that the owners are planning on planting trees as many of the lots are devoid of trees at the moment.

The meeting wrapped up with Essiambre noting the process will be a long one, with plenty of time for public input. “We want to hear from the public while we make decisions,” he said.