City Council’s planning committee has approved 10 new waterfront lots on Whitewater Lake. We should all hope that this decision will be reversed when it comes before City Council. The creation of these new lots is not permitted by our Official Plan, and for good reason. This lake is at capacity and recognized as fragile, which means that any further load will decrease water quality and almost certainly result in the toxic algae blooms that are being seen more and more on our lakes. Unintentionally, the enjoyment of the lake could be spoiled for everyone, over and above the environmental damage.
The Ministry of the Environment has been very clear that current data shows that this lake cannot support any further development, even after examining new data from the applicant. These lots are also outside the area where growth is intended to happen in our city. Building outside planned settlement areas is against provincial policy and costs us all in tax dollars, and a less sustainable community.
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing objects to the application on this basis, especially given the likelihood that these seasonal lots will become year-round residences. If City Council follows the planning committee in allowing these lots, it will be going against its own Official Plan, provincial policy, the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the city’s own staff recommendations. In all likelihood, the province will take the city to the OMB, and very likely it will win. We would all pay the price of an expensive battle at the OMB. With a bit of foresight, and with clear heads prevailing, it doesn’t need to happen.
Naomi Grant
chair,
Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury
Greater Sudbury