At Monday night’s meeting (Jan.10), Saugeen Shores Council voted 6 – 2 in favour of supporting the recommendation to enter into the Site Works and Servicing Agreement with what has been a three-year on-going contentious Cedar Crescent Village (CCV) development for Port Elgin’s Main Beach.
Under the recommendation, “Council delegate approval of the matters outlined in the Site Works and Servicing Agreement to the Director of Infrastructure and Development Services subject to the following: any approvals exercised under the delegated authority shall be in general conformity with the site plan and be compliant with the Zoning By-law or be minor in nature, be compliant with the Zoning By-law and be limited to matters related to the pavilion, engineering, signage, lighting, and accessibility. In exercising such authority the Director shall consult with appropriate committees and persons competent in regards to the specific matters; and
That Council instruct staff to prepare a schedule and cost estimate for the consultation related to parking and landscaping matters in the waterfront area and that following Council approval of the consultation schedule and cost estimate shall design the parking and landscaping in accordance with the consultation schedule and shall bring the design back to Council for consideration; and that Council approve the amending Lease Agreement.”
While Councillors Matt Carr and Cheryl Grace did not support the recommendation, it was carried with a 6-2 vote. Vice-Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt and Councillor John Divinski both spoke out in favour of the development and the facility design.
Myatt drew a comparison to the issue of the North Shore Park splash pad project which also created divisiveness in the community. “I know these are two very different issues. I have listened to people who say that a restaurant is needed at our waterfront and that our waterfront basically needs to be cleaned up as it’s an eyesore. I’ve listened to people about connecting linkages going through the entire development of our waterfront. I’ve listened to people asking for year round facilities for markets and shows and other events. I look at 7,000 householders in this community and, when I took on this job, I swore to represent 7,000 householders. I am trying my best to make informed decisions and represent all those householders. There are those who oppose this development and their opinions are extremely important. This has divided our community and it will take a long time to mend this. I reached out to the architect today because i wasn’t sure about the architecture and he spent a lot of time explaining to me about the board-and-batten and the siding that will mix in with the cottages down there to create the coastal look but it’s subjective. These sketches are very small but you have to take a deep dive into what the developer is looking at developing down there. I’ve heard in my eight years on Council about the need for improvements on our waterfront. I empathize with those residents down there losing their views. This has been a gut-wrenching decision … others have said “build it”, “get started”. I know it’s two-stories and 30 feet high and that those who oppose it want a one-story building. This is life changing. I believe I’ve done all my research and I am making an informed decision by supporting this. I know I’m going to be chastised but I believe it’s the right thing to do for our community. Let the chips fall where they fall.”
Divinski, while admitting that he is the “rookie who has only been on council for two months”, said that he thanks everyone who gave their opinion. He pointed out that there has not been an issue as controversial since the Wal-Mart development. “People said it would be the end of Port Elgin and it wasn’t. People feel the same about the project at the Main Beach. They say it will ruin the beach. The beach is as active or passive as you want it to be and it will remain that way after this development. If you just want to go to the beach, ignore the development. People come to the beach to relax, catch some ray and go swimming but, after at time, it gets boring. Families need to do something. CCV will fill that bill. It does block the line of sight of the beach and sunsets. Visitors drive down and walk down to view the sunsets and nearby residents are invited to do the same thing … cross the street and enjoy the 15 minutes of the sunset. I think we’re headed in the right direction. I don’t mind the design at all. It will certainly spruce up that area … but will not affect the beach proper. I support the project.”
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said that he appreciates all the comments received, both critical and supportive. “I hear what Councillor Grace is saying about the design and, as always, her comments are well taken and always well thought through. Not that I don’t agree with her esthetic, or what the community’s esthetic may be, but what I look at is how to make a decision as to what the esthetic of a facility ought to be. In the end, it’s a matter of taste but, when it’s a public project, it’s also a matter of planning and consultation and trying to understand what fits best.”
“We’ve had an extensive consultation on this subject dating back to the Waterfront Master Plan and the design concept of the main beach and the town as a whole. There are those who say there has been no public consultation … I have never been part of a process with more public consultation, ever,” said the Mayor. “There has been an evolution since 2019 when this came to Council and the esthetic was quite different from what we see today. This third design has tried to incorporate the esthetic that the people have been telling us and we now have a design brief from an architect who has clearly thought through in great detail, and examined the situation in great detail, to arrive where he has with a good justification for the shape of the facility and the materials used. I look at all that and it is based on sound principles and what we have heard from the public. I’m not sure a delay … I am content with the design … I am absolutely convinced it will be a beautiful facility that will provide the amenities that people want to see at our main beach, the hub of activity. I think it will be positive for the Main Beach and am excited about it.”
To read the full report and recommendation … CLICK HERE
