Proposed Fenelon Falls housing and commercial development attracts huge crowd
Abu Masood was driving around Fenelon Falls earlier this year, a stranger from Markham who was exploring what seemed like an idyllic village.
As he made his way down one particular street, a stranger who was cutting his grass saw him and waved – not an uncommon action in a small community. But the incident stayed with Abu, for it reminded him of his own small-village roots in Pakistan, growing up in a place where it felt like there was a common good.
For Masood, the president of Digram Developments Inc., it now means convincing Fenelon Falls residents that he wants to improve the village that captured his imagination – not change its essential character. He finds it incredible that so few builds have happened in Fenelon, given the desperate need for housing in the area.
A capacity crowd of 400 people filled the Fenelon Falls Community Centre for an information meeting in mid-November to hear his plans. They wanted to learn more about the build he has in mind, known as the Fenelon Trails housing development.
Presentations from a representative of TOR Construction, and planners GHD gave details about the potential development which consists of 894 dwelling units comprised of 427 single detached homes, 242 townhouses, one mixed-use block and three medium-density residential blocks.
Building would take place on land lying roughly south of the Ultramar gas station on Kawartha Lakes Road 121, east of Deane St, Kennedy Drive, and Clifton St, and west of Sturgeon Point Road, terminating near Kawartha Lakes Road 22 to the south.
Interruptions by a handful of organized attendees made a large group question and answer session impossible, but the principals stayed after a recess and were available for discussions with individuals who remained from the large crowd.
The meeting was organized in response to “misinformation” in the community, organizers said, and was not required as part of the application process. The group has submitted applications to amend the official plan, for a draft plan of subdivision, and for a zoning bylaw amendment.
Further public meetings will be held if the project advances past the initial application.
It would be a relief to see more housing in this beautiful area
We have had a cottage on Long Point for many years. Our trips into Fenelon Falls for frozen yogurt, to shop and watch the boats in the lock will be a thing of the past with this huge development. Where will all these people shop, find medical care and attend school? There is no infrastructure in place for growth of this size. Bad idea
The stupidity of this application shows how the people of the area aren’t considered in this matter! Fenelon Fall has a permanent population of around 2500. During the summer months the town becomes overloaded by cottagers, making driving thru town almost impossible!
The development suggested would more than double the population on a yearly basis. Our town cannot, without major infrastructure improvements sustain such an influx of population. Our Falls would require major modification to allow for added traffic, our sewage, schools, medical, shopping and numerous other services would require serious upgrades.
Making Fenelon Falls a bigger town is not what the residents, who vote you onto our Municipal Government expected! The carrot held out by Federal and Provincial Governments is not worth the destruction of our lifestyle.
It is incumbent on you, the Kawartha Lakes Council to protect and defend our rights as the people, over what big Government is proposing. Giving up our peace and tranquility shouldn’t be an option to the Council.
Please stop this project NOW!
This is insanity, citizens should not re-elect any politician that supports this town destroying subdivision. They want to connect this development to the existing street grid and turn quiet residential streets into on ramps for hordes of people to live in a Toronto style subdivision.