Discussion over the fate of the former McConkey farmhouse on Innisfil Beach Road near the 20th Sideroad has also prompted debate over how the “Gateway to Alcona” should look.
A number of people at a public meeting at Town Hall April 9 spoke on the importance of maintaining a semblance of local heritage when entering Alcona on Innisfil Beach Road.
Even though two major commercial developments are slated for the north (No Frills) and south (Canadian Tire) sides of the road, the area shouldn’t be just parking lots and big box stores, says resident Marj Mossman. Council should take their time to come up with concepts satisfactory to both commercial developers and citizens of the Town, she believes.
“The solution to this issue is not to vote to rezone the area before a study is done of the (McConkey) house either remaining on the (Canadian Tire) property and being given a new function, or the house being moved to another location altogether,” Mossman says.
She’s concerned the developer of the proposed Canadian Tire site, Trinity Development Group Inc., will follow the same blueprint used by developers in other communities such as Woodbridge, Guelph and Brampton where “they all have a Canadian Tire store, plus a few big box stores and enormous parking lots. Why can’t the Trinity developers come up with a plan to incorporate the existing house into the overall site? That way, we preserve our heritage building and the developer can be proud of a unique entrance? We’ll still have our heritage intact for future generations.”
During the April 9 meeting, Trinity planner David McKay said the developer, “Trinity would be quite willing to discuss moving it to another lot, free of charge, or to remove items of heritage value.”
Rick Ellis, president of the Alcona Business Association (ABA), says both the Town and the Innisfil Heritage Committee failed in their responsibility to protect the historic properties on both sites. A developer demolished a stone farmhouse on the south side of Innisfil Beach Road April 2.
“They waited until the last second to do anything,” Ellis says. “They should have been on the bandwagon years ago. It’s a shame. Now, they realize if they don’t do anything, (the old houses) will just get torn down.”
Nevertheless, the ABA invested money installing a new sign a couple of years ago.
“Knowing the road was going to be widened, we held off putting in pillars and stones. In the Alcona urbanization study, we’re using a nautical theme. The Town has a committee to ensure the guidelines from the study will be followed. They’re meeting the week of April 21.”
One resident feels so strongly about saving the house, she’s started a petition to try and save it.
Patti Bentley is asking people to support having the Roderick McConkey homestead “designated as a historic building and remain intact on its present location, or moved to a designated historic site to be appreciated by all present and future residents of Innisfil.”
Copies of the petition are available at the Adam and Eve Tanning Salon in Alcona at 1070 Innisfil Beach Rd in the Crossroads Plaza.
“Each person makes a difference, and every signature counts,” Bentley says.
Coun. Dan Davidson suggests the house be brought forward on the site, but failing that, use the façade as part of the project.
He would also like the developer to use flat-bottom lighting in lampposts to reduce glare at night.
“They’ve done it in Gravenhurst,” Davidson says. “I expect to bring a recommendation to Council that any new commercial developments use flat-bottom lighting.”
Deputy Mayor Gord Wauchope agrees the intersection of Innisfil Beach Road and the 20th Sideroad should be developed with care.
“I think it’s time we beautify the area,” Wauchope says. “It will be the gateway to Alcona. Trinity has made a statement they help move the house. Even using stones (from the McConkey house) for a gateway. A sign would be great. It’s long overdue.”
Establishing a visually welcoming entrance to Alcona would not only be good for business, it has important long-term effects for citizens, too.
“When Alcona does get finished, it will be an attractive neighbourhood,” Wauchope says. “This is only a start of what is to come. I’m sure more developers will come forward to hopefully enhance Alcona. Ideally, it will be a community where people could walk, or ride to stores and not just jump in their cars.”
Any gateway project, Wauchope says, “won’t just be a brick wall, or some shrubbery. There has to be some beautification to it, too.”
Mossman would like to take it one step further.
“Perhaps the house could be moved forward to become the new ‘Gateway to Alcona’,” she says. It could be a new home for the Innisfil Chamber of Commerce and the Alcona Business Association. It could become a tourism information centre, a restaurant, a specialty store, a boutique, offices for the complex or another vital part of the complex. We can’t just look the other way while another building ends up in a bin.”
Today's Weather 
Unknown and 16°C
Unknown and 16°C
