Town of Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

Talks continue to finalize the Admiral Collingwood Place development agreement. Discussion around the council table focused on a $660,000 fee for exceeding height restrictions in the Downtown Collingwood Heritage District. “The good news is that the land owner/developer appear to have accepted that 660,000 is what is required to be paid to develop the proposal that they have put forward” said Town of Collingwood Solicitor Leo Longo told council on Monday January 21st. “Earlier you may recall that because there was a reduction in height, they were arguing that there should be a similar reduction in the amount of bonusing, the $660,000 that was required in OPA 5. They appear to have withdrawn from that position and appear to be willing to pay the $660,000” Longo added.

It is expected that Collingwood Council will soon approve the Admiral Collingwood Place construction site plan. Work is already underway to begin infrastructure installation at the Hurontario Street/Hume Street location. This work was delayed briefly during the recent mild weather, as the ground became too soft to allow for the movement of heavy equipment at the site.

“There was a suggestion that perhaps the $660,000 could be paid over time on certain triggers, and that the obligation to pay would be somehow secured and that their lawyer would provide us with language by today to indicate what the proposal was” Longo told Council.

In addition to the $660,000 proposed payment, Council also discussed a parking issue associated with the Admiral Collingwood Place development. Council learned that 389 parking places will be divided between commercial and residential use, with 211 residential parking places being mostly underground. The Town of Collingwood Parking Advisory Committee is reviewing the parking issue.

It is expected Council will discuss the issue again on February 4th, at which time site plan approval could be given.