Following a lengthy Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) Administrative Review meeting on Monday, November 22nd, the Board of Directors deemed an application by Saugeen Shores regarding the proposed Cedar Crescent Village (CCV) at Port Elgin Main Beach as incomplete. The one outstanding issue was the Dynamic Beach Hazard area.
At Saugeen Shores Council meeting that same evening, plans were brought forward whereby the proponent, CCV, has requested the development be moved out of the SVCA Dynamic Beach regulatory area.

During the ‘Public Forum’, Patricia Corrigan-Frank said that the plan to begin excavation at the site is not legal according to the Planning Act until a building permit has been approved. “The report coming forward tonight by the CAO does not lead Council to make an informed decision and provides no legislative authority to approve the decision. Normally, with a new development such as this, town staff would lead a proponent to the Bruce County website to submit an application … the County would confirm that the application conformed to the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS), Town’s Official Plan, the environmental constraints found in the town’s By-laws as well as any other reports or studies that are required. It’s staff’s responsibility to lead or guide the proponent in policy direction to a planning application. No planning application has been made to Bruce County. Why?”
The development has been proposed to be moved from the Dynamic Beach regulatory area to what was a former tennis court and summer flea market, and will include the land once occupied by a mini-train station and mini-golf area.
The proponent’s new development plan has been reduced from a total of 100,000 square feet to 88,000 square feet, with a reduction in the building footprint from 32,000 to 24,000 square feet equal to 30 per cent. A new site plan will be brought to Council on December 13th
CAO Kara Van Myall was asked repeatedly about specific aspects of the development, including that there will no longer be a banquet hall, retail space will include things like an ice-cream shop and paddle board rentals and the Whitefish Grill restaurant. The development is to be built in two phases with the final phase two to be completed by April, 2023.
When it comes to parking, Engineer Amanda Froese said that the proposal to include Elgin Street to Izzard Street will be carried forward taking into consideration public consultation. When Councillor and Chair of the Environmental Stewardship Ad Hock Committee, Cheryl Grace, asked if the existing parking lot surface will remain as sand, Froese said that it would be part of the Harbour Street parking plan and that the public would be part of the plan. “I have a strong preference for an environmental surface,” said Grace.
Councillor John Divinski said that there has been “… a significant give-and-take here. Something is needed at the beach as people are looking for things to do and this could bring people down to the area even in inclement weather. Will there still be a flea market?”
“There will be a type of market but not necessarily a flea market,” said Van Myall.
Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt added that the process “…had been a long journey and there probably be people who still aren’t happy but there have been several concessions and the development has come far enough to be worked out.” Another question is zoning. “Open Space Special (OS Special) and Open Space 1 was raised in the Public Forum by Ms. Corrigan-Frank. What is the difference?”
CAO Van Myall explained that the Town of Saugeen Shores is the zoning administrator and determines if a development is in compliance with the zoning by-law. “The property is zoned OS Special after going through a process that allows exemptions such as restaurants, recreational facilities, boat and bicycle rentals, a boat clubhouse leased by the town, or any other retail accessory existing on the day of the passing of the by-law. Additionally special and community events will be permitted from time to time that has been licensed by the Town of Saugeen Shores. This was a specific amendment put into the By-law for the leases on this property.”
Myatt also asked what the top floor of the two-story building would be used for. The CAO clarified that it would accommodate rental outlets and the Whitefish Grill linked to a rooftop patio.
Councillor Matt Carr, said comments he had received were from a majority of people who were happy to see the development move away from the water. “The lease at $2.50 per sq. ft. was based on the footprint of the building. Does that still apply?” The CAO explained that proposed services in lieu of (value added services) will have to be updated.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau pointed out that the proposed development will be now outside of the SVCA regulatory area of the Dynamic Beach. “We have gone through a lengthy back and forth process with the SVCA and the proponent has looked at it and said what can we do to comply more quickly with the SVCA regulations. This now complies with the SVCA regulations. That’s the way to look at it. It will not be impacted by regulations, it is safe from flooding, it is outside the dynamic beach, it will not damage any heritage feature and is not subject to any natural hazard. The proponent has found a way to place this on the site to ensure that it complies with the SVCA regulation without requiring any permit. This allows us to move forward more quickly. Existing parking will be the same and is not subject to any SVCA approval. If Council chooses to make no changes it stays as it is and people will continue to park as they have for decades. It is not subject to any SVCA approval. If a change is needed such as surface material, a SVCA permit would be required.”
“I was involved with the Waterfront Master Plan and design in 2014 and it’s very clear that this area between Elgin and Mill Streets was identified on the main beach as a future as a commercial development area with restaurants. This spot was identified a the spot after a public consultation process as the place to do this. I think logistically it would be better closer to the waterfront, but this is the next best thing,” said the Mayor. “This will allow us to move forward with amenities such as a nice restaurant, a few shops to service the boating community and a market. This delivers those things that people want on a waterfront. This is a good compromise and gets moving forward. I hope this allows us to do this without too much further delay. The proponents and the public have been very patient through this and hopefully this gets off the ground and we move forward.
The recommendation was carried.