Hello Save Brocks Beach in Wasaga Beach petition supporters (2,725 supporters as of today)
I am happy to share some news, some good news, about the Romanin/Beachwood Development Inc second development submission.
As you may remember, the developer did submit a new proposal in December 2023. NVCA did re-visit the site to look at the wetlands in July 2024 (Tony Romanin was present on site) and the developer had a meeting with NVCA in September 2024.
We have been able to access NVCA response via a Freedom of Information request (Thank you Kerrie). and the good news is NVCA still confirms that the wetlands in this lot are Coastal Wetlands and should remain as is with a 30m buffer around them.
Here are a couple of key quotes from NVCA docs:
“Offsetting of wetlands removed for the purpose of lot yield is not an approach supported by the NVCA’s Nat Gains for Ecological Offsetting Guideline, therefore NVCA staff do not support the extent of wetland and wetland buffer removal proposed in the application. The applicant is advised again to revise the development concept to retain wetland features where possible. Further consultation with the MNRF NHIC on the appropriate classification of the MAMM4-1 wetland community is also recommended.”
Please note : (MAMM4-1) means Great Lakes Coastal Meadow Marsh wetland.
Also another NVCA Comment: “ OPA and ZBA Text and Schedules: The NVCA is requesting that the drainage channel within Parkland Block 46 and all wetlands to be retained within the subject site be restrictively designated (e.g. Natural Heritage System Category 1) and zoned (e.g. Environmental Protection) through the associated OPA and ZBA applications. “
Also in another email, in term of Natural Hazard: “most of the natural hazard review has been deferred until we receive a design submission for the proposed Beachwood channel, as this will define the flood hazard on the property.”
There are many others comments and questions from NVCA requiring responses from the developer.
I have been following up with the town Leadership and Staff about NVCA response, and I am confident at this stage that there is no way the Town can approve this development as proposed without a new submission from the developer respecting the coastal wetlands, buffers and others NVCA requirements, and full NVCA support.
The fight is not over... let's keep this petition live and growing, thank you for your support.
Cheers
Gerard Dusastre
gerarddusastre@gmail.com