MANITOWANING—At its February meeting, the Manitoulin Planning Board (MPB) gave approval to the developer of the Sandy Point subdivision in Assiginack Township (Sunsite Estates) on a request for a three-year extension to the previous planning approval provided in 2021. However, the developer says the corporation doesn’t really need the extension but due to delays from Assiginack township, the approval was required.
“We don’t—we really don’t need more time,” stated Jordan Chandler, authorized agent for the corporation. “The development was completed last year. We have been waiting for months for Assiginack to notify the board that they are satisfied. They have refused to approve the second portion (phase) of the development on the same terms as the first portion, so we were forced to ask for an extension to keep our planning board approval from expiring. A three-year extension will get us through the next municipal election and should provide adequate time for legal options to play out.”
The Sandy Point subdivision would have a total of 48 waterfront lots, with a marina. Ten lots have been developed and home construction has taken place. There are 38 remaining lots requiring approval.
Mr. Chandler said no changes had been made from the first and second portion of the development so he is mystified why a positive response has not been provided by the township. “It feels like a personal grudge. We signed a subdivision agreement in April 2022. The township sent a letter to the planning board in July 2022 stating that they were satisfied with the first phase of the development. Now that the first part of the project is complete, they (township) refuse to move forward on the same terms as the first phase.” He pointed out, “we have had zero complaints brought to us about the first phase that they took ownership of, so it is baffling, to say the least.”
Mr. Chandler said as for the next steps in the process, “We have millions of dollars invested and can’t sit on the development forever, so we will weigh our options for the property going forward. If there is no light at the end of the tunnel, then a sale or donation of the lands may prove to be the only alternative. There is always demand for a 700-acre site with waterfront.”
“My biggest concern is for the taxpayers in Assiginack,” said Mr. Chandler. “The creation of these vacant waterfront lots should immediately increase the municipal tax revenue by approximately two percent, and upwards of 10 percent once the lots are fully developed. Taxpayers in the township could be missing out on significant tax benefits if this site contributes zero tax revenue in the future.”
“The entire situation is frustrating for us since we have followed every instruction the township has given to us, to our detriment, despite several obstacles that they have put in our way,” said Mr. Chandler. “The lot creation is just the start of a bigger picture. There are homes to be built and we have 600 plus acres left over with a marina that we had planned to invest in.”
Brenda Reid, mayor of Assiginack when asked about the concerns raised said, “I can’t talk about it. I can’t discuss it,” she said, noting the issue is in the township’s lawyer’s hands.
