The Green Party of Ontario is hosting a community town hall on July 14 to gather public input on the proposed development of the former Muskoka Centre.
Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner will be joined by Deputy Leader Matt Richter at the Terry Fox Auditorium in Gravenhurst from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed Cliff Bay development and the Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO).
According to officials, the province, through Infrastructure Ontario, has entered into an agreement to sell 33 hectares of land to Cliff Bay Muskoka Corp., conditional on the issuance of an MZO.
A MZO is a tool under the planning act that “gives the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing the authority to permit, prohibit, and regulate the use of any land in the province,” according to provincial documentation on the bylaw.
“MZO’s can be used to protect a provincial interest, to help overcome potential barriers, or delays to critical projects. Zoning orders are similar to local municipal zoning bylaws. If there is a conflict between a MZO and a municipal bylaw, the MZO prevails.”
The developer said the proposed tourist-commercial complex will include two hotels, two restaurants, a spa, a marina with space for 80 boats, several residential units, and more than 2,700 parking spaces.
The developer’s website states the project will create hundreds of construction jobs for local tradespeople, suppliers, and contractors throughout the construction phase.
Once open, the website states the development will create hundreds of permanent, year-round jobs across the hospitality, recreation, retail, property management, wellness, and administrative sectors.
Additionally, the developer said the project will support Gravenhurst’s economy by increasing municipal tax revenues to help fund local infrastructure and services, attracting more visitors to downtown shops, restaurants, and attractions, and creating a more resilient year-round economy for Muskoka.
