At Saugeen Shores Council meeting on Monday, August 23rd, Phil Eagleson, Director Protective Services, brought to Council a report regarding the proposed Cedar Crescent Village (CCV) development for Port Elgin Main Beach.
The development was expected to begin construction on or before June 9th and the application to the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority (SVCA) for approval was submitted on February 2nd, 2021.
Saugeen Shores staff has continued discussions with SVCA staff to advance the regulatory permit for the project however, after seven months of review, SVCA staff have not yet made a decision on the merits of this permit application based on its consultant’s report by Zuzek Engineering that sufficient requirements had not been met regarding Floodline Hazard Mapping.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau, who previously chaired the SVCA Board, said that this is a very routine process and that an Executive Committee hearing is very standard. “We hope that the SVCA will schedule it very soon. We deserve a timely response and we hope that the SVCA will act responsibly.”
Vice Deputy Mayor Mike Myatt, who is the municipal representative along with Councilor Cheryl Grace on the SVCA Board, said that they had pointed out to the SVCA that seven months is too long as the normal for application approval is approximately four weeks. “This is not fair,” said Myatt.
Councilor Grace added that she has received correspondence from citizens. “I made a number of requests to the SVCA to inquire what the delay is and how to expedite the situation.”
Saugeen Shores staff have been in discussions with the SVCA and the application will be now be brought forward to a Section 28 Hearing based on the two outstanding condition issues on which there remains disagreement:
- Floodline Hazard Assessment
- Dynamic Beach Hazard.
The development which includes a restaurant, special events hall, retail and recreation space is to be located at the harbour at the Port Elgin Main Beach.
Without a decision regarding the existing conditions for the site, advancing the site plan and engineering works is not possible. Therefore, further design work for the project is currently on hold.
“We believe the application is complete and that the professionals engaged in the process are unable to reach consensus,” says Kara Van Myall, Chief Administrative Officer of the Town. “therefore, the request for a Hearing is the appropriate path forward.”
The hazard limits are based on the existing conditions and provide the framework for development of the site layout. Depending on the determination of where these lines exist, the design of the development will change. With this, the detailed design of the project cannot be completed and the project is not able to advance.
While the Town of Saugeen Shores began consulting with the SVCA about developing this site since 2019 when the Town received a favourable indication from SVCA that the project could advance in the proposed location, the site plan and location changed.
The hazard limits are based on the existing conditions and provide for the framework of the site layout. Depending on the determination of where these lines exist today, the impact to the development will change. With this, the detailed design of the project cannot be completed until approval from the SVCA has been received on these two items. It is anticipated design changes will be required to the initial conceptual design to accommodate recommendations from the Assessment as well as for the betterment of the site development.
Town staff will continue to work with stakeholders to advance the project. Final design will be refined and will come forward to Council as part of the Site Servicing Agreement for final approval once the decision has been made by the SVCA on the required permit.