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Escarpment Magazine Fall 2012
MARKET WATCH
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real estate market updates
Collingwood -
Construction values have totalled $44,901,911 to
the end of September, compared to $61,020,822 for the same period
in 2011, a banner year. Major permits in June, July and August were
for the new Firehall, Pretty River Estates homes and a 3-storey 35 unit
condominium apartment in Creekside. Construction of the new firehall
is well underway at the corner of High Street and 3rd with completion
anticipated for fall 2013. A new build at 4 High Street will be the site
for a Tim Horton’s drive through, a pizza restaurant and retail store.
The land has been cleared for Waterstone, a 55-unit project opposite
Admiral’s Gate, and the developer is working on a site plan control
agreement. The town has purchased a portion of the former Mountain
view/Globe Hotel property allowing for the widening of the
Hurontario and Huron Street intersection and has made an application
to the Ministry of Transportation for funding. The MTO funded a large
portion of the First Street reconstruction as part of the Highway 26 Con-
necting Link program. The town will be saving the side launch mural,
painted in section panels, and reinstalling it in another location, yet to
be determined. Collingwood council has asked staff to look at devel-
oping a transit link with The Blue Mountains similar to the agreement it
has with the Town of Wasaga Beach. Collingwood council is consid-
ering several proposals to install solar panels as part of the Green En-
ergy Act Fit program and sell energy back to the Ontario Power
Authority with a revenue potential $70,000 a year or $1.4 million over
the next 20 years.
The Blue Mountains -
Building permits in The Blue Mountains
are at the $27,979,048 by the end of August compared to
$37,839,355 at the same time last year. The figure for 2010 stood at
$48,725,564.
Windfall, the mega six-phase project at the corner of Mountain Road
and Osler Bluff Road with a total area of 54.43 hectares, is proposing
a maximum of 747 residential dwelling units, a community park, com-
mercial uses, a private recreational block, open space and natural en-
vironmental areas. This includes 351 detached homes and 258
semi-detached homes, and 36% of the project will be open space. Units
will sell for an average of $500,000 each. The project is currently ful-
filling conditions of the draft plan approval to facilitate registration of
phase one, 37 units. The Havens Brophy’s Land project, development
for 16 detached residential dwellings in the Craigleith area, has been
approved by the Ontario Municipal Board [OMB]. Also in the
Craigleith area, Eden Oak’s project has submitted a revised proposal
to the Town and county for 217 units which include multi-unit buildings
and a public meeting is scheduled for October 2
nd
.
Although the de-
veloper of Telfer Lifestyle Village, ThornburyMeadows, 10-acre prop-
erty on Napier Street, is now proposing an 86-unit adult lifestyle village
rather than the previous 97-unit figure for its 10-acre property on
Napier Street. The project has been referred to the OMB. A hearing
date has not been scheduled.
Short Term Accommodation [STA] rental uses are now in force allow-
ing the Town, in consultation with stakeholders, to regulate STA uses
by way of a system of licencing and determination of how to regulate
uses. Over the years, the Town has received numerous complaints from
residents concerning noise, parking, garbage, nuisance mischief and
vandalism related to the operation and use of residential premises for
STA purposes.
Meaford -
Meaford has seen a significant increase in building per-
mits this year. By the end of August permits totalled $9,650,500 com-
pared to $7,031,600 for the same period in 2011. $4,261,000
related to permits for 13 new homes. The application process is now
complete for Medford Highlands-Wellness Centre, the mega 1,000-
unit project on the 3
rd
Line, overlooking Georgian Bay. The project
held a very successful open house in September. The development is
proposing to connect to municipal servicing. The municipality has ap-
proved the draft plan for Meaford Haven, the development on the for-
mer garden centre site on the west side of Meaford. The project is
awaiting county approval.
What’s New? -
Multi discussions, municipal meetings and protests
are taking place in the area regarding wind turbines, quarries, a casino
and recreational facilities in Collingwood, and one thing has become
very clear. The communities all want a say in anything that would in-
terfere with the lifestyle of the community.
The Thunderbird Twin Zip Lines are open and running at the Scenic
Caves. It’s the longest, fastest, user-controlled zip and the only twin zip
in Southern Ontario. In addition to the new Scenic Caves zip lines, Blue
Mountain opened two rope adventures, this summer. Guests are sus-
pended on a harness and guideline and challenged by more than 75
elements including suspensions bridges, ladders and cargo nets. The
low rope course is suitable for children. There’s a new 18-hole Cas-
cade putting course at the base of Smart Alec, a favourite ski run at
Blue, Segway mountain top tours, the Ridge Runner alpine coaster and
the climbing wall.
Cora Couture has opened at 151 Hurontario st, Collingwood, special-
izing in European imports. Evolution for Men has moved to larger prem-
ises on Bruce Street in Thornbury and Steve’s Restaurant has opened
next to Foodland. Steve’s has two locations in Toronto and the empha-
sis is on home style quality cooking. Grill & Greens Eatery is another
popular new Thornbury restaurant. Beachcomber Hot Tubs has moved
to new premises at 20 Balsam, opposite Canadian Tire. Niagara Es-
carpment Outfitters has opened on Hurontario Street, next to Sporting
Life, featuring local products produced by local people-a variety of
items from clothing to birdhouses, bird feeders, wooden toys, preserves
and games. Dorrington’s Pub has become a hot new spot in the Village
of Nottawa. And, the Department of Agriculture has providedMartin’s
Family Fruit Farm with a $1.5 million cheque to help fund a new pro-
cessing line for apple chips and cider. Sidelaunch Brewing Company
is considering opening a brewery in Collingwood with phase one, the
brewery and phase two, an events room for tastings.
Centurion bike races returned to the area again in early September
with over 2,250 riders participating. Town of BlueMountains received
a $10,000 grant from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport to in-
vest in the continued development and marketing of the Town’s Share
the Road initiative just prior to the Centurion.
It is no wonder why staycations are becoming so popular around the
Escarpment in the Georgian Triangle!
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