Many of our members will have heard by now that the owners of Melwel Lodge have submitted an "Application for Consent" to sever the existing property into 8 individual lots with the intent of selling each of the lots individually.  The 8 lots in question correspond to the locations of the existing 8 cabins on the property.

As part of the application, they have requested some minor changes in the setbacks and a rezoning of the properties from "Recreational Commercial" to "Waterfront Recreational and Waterfront Residential". Also included is an application to provide drainage easement together with an easement to establish long-term access over the existing private drive. A map of the proposed severance is included with this article.

A public meeting was held on Wednesday, Oct 9th at which the Municipality''s planner Peter Tonazzo presented a report on the application recommending acceptance. At that meeting, Mr. Tonazzo, along with the current owners, Frank and Christian Provenzano, made a presentation on the reasons for the request, outlined the planned severance, and responded to questions by many members of the public that attended in person and virtually.

At the subsequent regular council meeting, council voted unanimously to approve the severance, subject to conditions. Several key concerns were addressed at the meeting...

• Site development - property owners on Basswood Lake were concerned that approving this severance would result in unchecked development at the site. The existing owners explained that, in fact, this rezoning constituted a "down zoning". As noted, the lodge site is currently zoned " Recreational Commercial" which offers significant flexibility for development, and the potential to create a multi-unit resort or similar destination-oriented development, akin to the style and amenities seen in popular resort areas. By rezoning as "Waterfront Residential", the new owners will be restricted to a single detached or recreational dwelling. Any development of a new seasonal or full-time residence that expands beyond the existing cabin footprint must be separately approved by council.
• Precedents - much concern was expressed by lake residents that this would establish a precedent on Big Basswood wherein any large property owner could apply for creation of multiple lot subdivision, thereby increasing lake density. Mr Tonazzo addressed this citing the existing Official Plan which states that "up to two consents for residential uses may be granted for a lot as of the approval date of this Plan (excluding the retained lot). Special consideration may be made to a limited number of existing lots in the municipality which is occupied by more than one dwelling unit where such dwellings existed as of May 25, 1985.
• Lake quality - concerns were expressed about increased septic loading on Big Basswood. Council placed conditions on the application for consent that will require the owners to obtain appropriate Ministry of Environment, Conversation BBLA and Parks and/or Algoma Public Health approvals as it relates to the decommissioning of existing septic systems, where required, as well as any necessary pre-development approvals for new septic systems.
• Road easement - as part of the development plan, a series of easements will be granted to provide long-term, registered and surveyed access to Proposed Parts 2-7 on the site plan. A new private road is to be built at the rear of the property. Although an existing road exists, the new routing will be further back from the lake.

The lake association will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds. We are told by the owners that the development plans will not be executed for 2 years and that Melwel will be open for business as usual in 2025.

If you have further questions, please contact Matt Aho (imomateo@yahoo.com) at or reference the Huron Shores website (huronshores.ca)