MINDEMOYA—A public information session held March 25 by Central Manitoulin council saw several concerns raised regarding the proposed 39-lot subdivision to be located on the shores of Lake Mindemoya, the most notable the current water quality and the possible effects further development will have.
“If we go back to the issue of water quality and if Lake Mindemoya is at capacity, why add to the stress on the lake quality by allowing development of 39 lots?” asked Jan McQuay, a local resident.
“It depends on where you are getting your information that says the lake is stressed out,” said Mayor Richard Stephens. “We don’t have definitive reports one way or the other in this process. But investigating this will be part of the process that we all have to go through. It will be a major issue in the process.”
“I can assure you no one is in favour of water quality that is less than we have or not up to standard. There will be due diligence done through this entire application process, and the water quality will be part of it,” said Mayor Stephens.
Mayor Stephens had told the 30 members of the public who packed the Central Manitoulin township council chambers, “What we are attempting to do by having this information meeting is alleviate some of the perceptions that no one has a say on the 39-lot subdivision being proposed (by Split Crow Partners Inc).”
“We have a good number of letters of concern from local residents, but we can’t do much until this goes through the process that handles subdivisions (Manitoulin Planning Board). It is a rigorous process including a lot of background research, studies and consultation,” said Mayor Stephens. “It is still a very open and fluent exercise. We want to hear your questions, thoughts and ideas.”
Mayor Stephens summarized a little from all the letters that have been received, noting one from Dan Colton, who stated he was opposed to the development, had done research and came to a good conclusion that the existence of trees on the lakeshore is very important to good quality water in the lake, as their root system provides a buffer between the lakeshore and the water. He also said the municipality was pleased to receive a letter from M’Chigeeng First Nation Chief Morgan Hare (as reported in last week’s edition of The Expositor), outlining his community’s concerns. “These concerns are in line with other letters we have received from Central Manitoulin community members. We have to take time and come up with solutions to the concerns, before we agree this is either a good project or a no-go project.”
Gord Keatley of Keatley Surveying, who was in attendance, said the Manitoulin Official Plan supports the 2018 designation of the property proposed for development as shoreline area. It used to be rural. “Prime agriculture area has been removed for most of Manitoulin. The new Official Plan is more in line with soil quality and has moved some areas into rural zone.”
Mr. Keatley said a number of studies required for the development still have to be completed, particularly environmental impacts, but that some of the required studies are finished. “Several people have questions concerning water quality and the proponents are going to be bringing in an expert to do studies of the water as well.”
Lee Kieswetter of (Split Crow) “has a house on the lake so he is just as concerned about water quality as anyone,” said Mr. Keatley. “This is a long process, we have been working with (MPB) for a while now, and had enough to complete an application (for the proposed development).”
Mr. Rautiainen asked why the meeting wasn’t postponed until the summer when all residents on the lake are back. “You could have held this public meeting in June when the kids are out of school.”
“We felt there was no reason to postpone tonight’s meeting,” said Mr. Kieswetter. “We are holding it in good faith to address concerns and receive input. There is still a lot of work to do, steps to be taken and reports finalized before this could go ahead. We will be working with the municipality as part of this toward a subdivision management plan, where again a lot of the concerns can be addressed.”
“Our goal is to continue to move forward with what we have to do, with MPB and the subdivision agreement with council,” said Mr. Kieswetter. “As we move forward we will be able to provide more answers to questions.”
Stan Drystek of Lake Mindemoya Stewardship Association (LMSA) said studies carried out by engineering firm EXP and by LMSA show that coliform, E.coli, turbidity and phosphorous levels on the lake have been significantly higher than provincial standards allow.
However, the meeting was told, based on discussions with septic system installers and the public health unit, the development will not see E.coli or coliform being added to the lake.
“I swim in the lake, and if the development proposed was to have detrimental impacts I wouldn’t be involved in this project,” said Mr. Keatley.
One resident asked if the 39-lot development is part of an overall 140 lot creation (through backside lots being created on Tracy Road).
“We are looking at 39 lots; the 140-lot creation is news to me,” said Mr. Kieswetter. He said the lots would be for permanent housing development, not seasonal.
Maja Mielonen raised concern about reports showing leakage in field beds, whether the municipality has a long-range development ‘care and control’ bylaw in place that can be enforced (which municipal officials said is the case), and whether the developer will be providing space for parkland on Tracy Road.
One resident said that all septic systems in the area need to be inspected for leakage, adding that one of the main problems for water being below standard in the summer is due to E.coli in the water in the form of goose droppings.
Steve Elliott said when housing development takes place, the environment ministry inspects septic systems, but they don’t inspect them after development has taken place, when people make changes that may impact water quality.
Mr. Elliott stated, “the lake quality is terrible. It’s so bad I won’t let my dog swim in it in August. Before any development takes place studies need to be done to make sure the water quality is good, and if not, what needs to be done to correct it.”
Mr. Kieswetter said, “I see a lot of interesting things around the lake, and quality is an issue. What is being done to cause problems does need to be looked at.”
Councillor Derek Stephens confirmed the municipality has a custodial care bylaw in place that can be enforced. “I believe a lot of the problems with Lake Mindemoya are because of all the clear cutting that has taken place on the waterfront, and soil is eroded. Clear cutting is a big problem on the lake and I feel anyone who cuts down a tree should have to plant two, to save the shoreline.”
“If anyone is to blame with the problems of water quality on the lake it is the previous owners,” said Councillor Brian Mitchell. He said creeks and waterbeds are impacted when farmland practices release materials into the water bodies.
One attendee suggested that with a lot of concerns with phosphate and coliform levels, assessments of the lake need to be completed before any further development is allowed.
“This is something that will be part of the process and is a good suggestion,” said Mayor Stephens.
“I am from a big town that had a dead lake,” said Ms. Mielonen. “The town council there made the decision that everyone on the water would have water and septic systems. It took 10 years but the lake did recover,” suggesting that it might be considered in this case for the proposed subdivision.
“This was considered on the Hodgins Subdivision and people there said they would not pay these costs,” said Councillor Stephens.
“I just hope we all work together to find a solution for the lake quality,” said one resident.
“That is my hope too,” said Mayor Stephens. “We’ve listened to all the concerns raised here tonight. Keep them coming—we want all of your input and ideas. This is all part of the process and due diligence to making the right decision on the proposal.”
