FAQs
Project Questions
What happens now that the District will not receive funding from CMHC under RHI?
Servicing Work (including water, sewer and stormwater) is proceeding so that the site will be shovel-ready. This will position the District favourably for application to future affordable housing funding programs and/or if an alternative means of financing the project is found.
A vegetated buffer remains around the building along the road frontage on Cedar Lane and Taylor Road.
What precautions were taken to minimize the impact of tree cutting on the environment?
Although this project is exempt from the Town of Bracebridge Tree Cutting By-Law, and Site Alteration By-Law, measures were taken to minimize environmental impacts. A scoped Species at Risk study was conducted in consultation with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), and wildlife screening for bird and bat activity took place within 24 hours of tree cutting commencing. Tree removal was kept to a minimum, keeping in mind good arboricultural practice, (i.e., trees that won’t survive construction or that are not healthy were removed). The District must also enter into a Site Plan Agreement with the Town of Bracebridge which will address retention and restoration of existing trees and vegetation and other environmental protections.
Rotary Gardens at the corner of Taylor Road and Pine Street was not impacted.
The contract for tree cutting and grubbing also included provisions for soil erosion and sediment controls around the construction site.
What is being built at 100 Pine Street?
The District is examining funding opportunities to build a new affordable housing building at 100 Pine St. The current plan is for a 3-storey building that will include a mix of 1-bedroom and studio units, for a total of 29 units.
How will the District determine who will live in the units?
Tenant composition will depend on the priorities associated with any future potential funding opportunities.
How do I get on the waitlist for affordable housing?
If you would like to apply to be on the waitlist for affordable housing, you must complete an application. If your application is approved, then you are added to the waitlist based on the date your completed application is received. To apply for affordable housing, please visit the Affordable Housing webpage on the District’s website to complete an application or contact our Community Housing Team at 705-645-2412 ex 4960.
When would residents be able to move into the building?
Timelines are uncertain as the District investigates alternative funding opportunities.
How much would rent be for units in this new building?
Rents will depend on the funding or financing model/program.
How much would this building cost?
Currently, the total project cost is estimated at $8,374,852.
What municipal approvals are required (planning, building, etc.)?
The District must comply with all applicable planning and building regulations and has applied for and received conditional site plan approval.
A minor variance for the height of the building was required from the Town of Bracebridge to accommodate the draft building design, as the proposed build is slightly higher than what is currently permitted by the Town’s Zoning By-Law. More information can be found starting on page 39 of the Town’s April 3rd Committee of Adjustment Agenda Package.
The District must also enter into a Site Plan Agreement with the Town in compliance with the Town’s Site Plan Control By-Law, which allows the Town to control several aspects of the development to ensure orderly development within the Town. Through this process, the Town can have a say in things like the placement of buildings, parking areas, driveways, landscaping (including the retention and restoration of existing vegetation and new plantings), environmental protections, natural constraints, engineering works (including stormwater management and construction mitigation), and servicing (water and sewer connections).
The District must also obtain a building permit and follow the required inspection schedule to ensure all phases of construction are complete in accordance with the Ontario Building Code. The District will also be required to obtain road occupancy permits to complete any work that falls within the District and Town’s road allowances on the foot paths to promote pedestrian traffic to nearby areas.
What will happen to Rotary Gardens and the existing pedestrian paths in and behind it?
Rotary Gardens and its current pedestrian paths will not be impacted. A new hard surface path will be created from the new building to join with the existing path to exit at Cedar Lane. This new path will be constructed over the new municipal water and sewer services that will be coming from Taylor Road into the building to reduce the need for any additional tree cutting.
Will the informal dirt trails be accessible from the Granite Bluff through the forested area down to McVittie Place?
During the construction phase, the trails will be partially accessible, however trail users will not be able to exit the trail at McVittie place as the building site is located on the trail directly behind McVittie Place and will be contained with fencing.
What is being done to address concerns about parking and traffic?
The new building would be accessed from the existing entrance from Pine Street servicing McVittie Place, therefore there will be no additional vehicle entrance onto Pine Street. It was established in consulting with the Town that the existing property met the parking requirements for the proposed building under the zoning by-law requirements and the existing site plan agreement for the property. The site plan for the proposed building does provide for additional parking spaces above the requirements in the existing site plan agreement for the property to service the new building.
Development will be subject to Site Plan Control and the District will work with the Town’s Public Works Department to review the site plan for traffic-related matters.