A proposed adult lifestyle community for lands once known as the “Avalon Development” has nearby homeowners worried their wells will dry up.
After all, it’s happened before.
In 2001, extensive de-watering on the Lockhart Road and 25th Sideroad site drained a number of neighbouring residential wells, leaving homeowners high and dry, some for months.
“People at the end of Sandy Cove Drive lost their water for months,” former resident Margaret Stryjski said. “It had to be trucked in and new wells had to be dug. The Town was trying to help and they did stop the project. At first, some people said we should get Town water. They fixed it – but it took time.”
Now, Rice Development, which operates Sandy Cove Acres, hopes to build 733 units on the same site.
A public meeting was held at Town Hall March 18 to listen to deputations about the project, which could eventually contain hundreds of detached bungalows and townhouses if Council gives the go-ahead.
Nick McDonald, a planner with of Meridian Consultants of Barrie, hired by Rice Development, told Council the 165-acre site was designated as a “resort” area in 1969. In 1973, council approved the land as suitable for 500 units and in 1996 the property received a “Recreational Retirement Community Policy” designation.
While property owners in the surrounding area have some reservations about the scope of the project, the key fear is what happened to many of their wells in 2001 when site preparation work began on the former Avalon project.
“My well was affected in 2001. If we survive the construction, will our well be recharged? Putting people on Town water would alleviate all heartache and worry about our water,” Mandy Agnew said.
Coun. Dan Davidson wanted to know “with the history of water problems in the past, can we be assured people’s wells won’t run dry.”
Mike Jones, a hydrogeologist working with Meridian replied, “a monitoring system will be in place during construction. We understand the problems in the past.”
“If water is affected, it will be the developer’s responsibility,” McDonald added. “There would be a rapid response time to deal with issues as they arise.”
“The history (of the site) will ensure all measures will be taken to mitigate any effects on wells,” Mayor Brian Jackson said.
McDonald added the developer is still waiting for the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority to comment on the project.
Robert McAuley, Innisfil’s director of planning and development, said his department will begin reviewing the proposal next month and report back to council.
“It’s a very intricate application and involves two subdivisions,” McAuley said.
Stryjski’s advice?
“Tell people they have to fill the site. It’s all like rivers under the land. I wouldn’t be against a development if the wells weren’t affected. It would be great for the community. But people need to know their wells won’t go dry.”
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