Red tape ahead for Tollendale seniors housing in Innisfil
With eyes on a new seniors home for Innisfil, Tollendale Village representative Clare Riepma had hoped it wouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get the project started.
Riepma spoke to Innisfil council Aug. 8, asking for assistance with the town’s Our Place official plan.
“Tollendale owns and operates a significant seniors complex in Barrie on Hurst Drive, just down the road,” he said. “I’m a planner for the project, and we’ve submitted our plans to you.”
Tollendale Village owns 1870 and 1902 Big Bay Point Rd., with plans to build another long-term care seniors living complex. Council has already approved a cross-municipal servicing agreement to the site east of Strathallan Woods Lane South.
Riepma said their proposal meets the requirements of the town’s official plan under a public service facility.
But if they build in a rural or agricultural area, an official plan amendment would be required.
“This is a much-needed project, as you know.”
Tollendale Village is a not-for-profit company offering life lease apartments, with affordable unit costs, Riepma said.
Currently, the waiting list for Tollendale’s Barrie facility is 900 people, with approximately 20 units becoming available every year.
The Innisfil proposal is a continuum-of-care facility with a 160-bed nursing home and 464 one- and two-bedroom apartments.
“Within those apartments, you can obtain the services you need as you get older,” Riepma said. “A lot of people don’t need it when they move in, but their needs increase, and support is available.”
The town’s official plan was adopted by council in January 2018, but the County of Simcoe has proposed some changes.
One of the changes requires an official plan amendment for any legal nonconforming site plans.
Town manager of land-use planning Tim Cane said the county is trying to find synergies between its official plan and that of the town, and if the town modifies the agreement, it could delay approval of Our Place, which is expected to happen in September.
He noted that, regardless of the wording, the land already requires an official plan amendment anyway.
Council agreed to accept the county’s changes, meaning Tollendale Village would have to appeal the town’s official plan.