"Developer sets agenda for Mono development...not Council"

On Tuesday May 12 Mono Council gave approval in principle to add 323 homes to the Island Lake development, thereby increasing the size of this hamlet to over 460 homes.

There was considerable room for Mono Council to choose the size of the development and to influence its design. Unfortunately, our Council has been hands off on both accounts...subsequently the developer has set the agenda.

The initial proposal for 158 homes and a golf course was submitted in 2003. Since then, Mono Council has permitted the developer to submit multiple revisions with each successive plan being for more and more homes. 158 became 302, then 323...and we are now looking at a further increase to 335.

At no point in the process did Council present their preferred plan for the site...it was always about what the developer wanted.

Local residents are requesting the number of homes be scaled back to a level more in keeping with the surrounding Island Lake & Purple Hill communities.

"We are not against development... we simply want appropriate development that maintains the character of the community and our existing quality of life" stated a delegation from GILCA, the local ratepayers association. "We would like to see the proposed development reduced from 323 homes to 220. Taking 100 homes out of this development would go a long way to addressing local residents concerns and maintaining the country setting that we moved here for"

This reduced number of homes is exactly what we thought we had achieved in 2006 and 2007 when we obtained both written and verbal agreements from the developer to restrict the development area. However, the blatant increases in number of homes reflect maximizing personal gain much more than they reflect appropriate planning and development.

What's even more frustrating is that, to date, Mono Council has done nothing to support these agreements and require the developer to make the agreed changes.

Instead, Council has repeatedly stated they are bound by provincial policy and requirements. The recently completed Dufferin County "Growth Management Study" concludes that Mono needs to add approximately 2200 people by the year 2031 (i.e. approx 700 homes over 22 years) in order to meet the provincial "Places to Grow" requirements.

However, this target can be easily met with the current developments of Watermark, Masters Creek, Island Lake Estates Phase # 2, existing "Lots of Record" within Mono and a scaled back 220 home expansion of the Island Lake hamlet...without adversely impacting the rural and agricultural countryside of Mono.

In fact, Mono can continue its historic growth rates of 30 to 35 homes per year and fully comply with these provincial targets.

It's also interesting to note that these growth targets are not cast in stone. All municipalities have the opportunity to discuss growth targets with the provincial Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure (MEI) and obtain concessions related to local specifics.

So, why do we need an additional 330 homes in the Island Lake hamlet.... and what if this development continues to grow with successive revisions? At what point (if ever) will our Council say "enough!"

100 fewer homes (and 300 fewer people) in Mono over the next 22 years would make negligible difference to the Town or the Province..... but a HUGE difference to the residents of the Greater Island Lake Community.

Council is elected by the public and has to take into account the views of its citizens. There are so many arguments that Council could have used to reduce the number of homes in this development...had they the desire or will to do so.

Instead, Mono Council has abdicated its responsibility and sacrificed the lifestyles of the existing residents of Island Lake and Purple Hill....and the future residents of Island Lake Phase 3.

The decision made by Mono Council to support such concentrated development is in direct conflict with the Mono web site statement of "Rolling hills, trees and meadows. Room to run, to stretch, to breathe." This was definitely not one of Mono Council's better decisions.

It would be refreshing if Council would truly hear their residents input and acknowledge that we have made some valid points and recommendations that the Town should be looking to implement. Instead, of the constant pushback and deferral to other sources and opinions....usually those of the developer.

There is still opportunity for Council to scale back this proposed development by establishing "Conditions of Draft Plan Approval". Again, Council has the means and the opportunity... but will they listen to their citizens?
Submitted jointly by:
Greater Island Lake
Community Association
(GILCA), and
Mono Mulmur Citizens
Coalition (MC)2