New ratepayer group survey circulating with misleading comments

The Town of Wasaga Beach has learned that the Wasaga Beach Ratepayers Association has created a survey and is asking for the public’s opinion.  The survey pertains to the beachfront redevelopment. The introduction contains information that is misleading.  

This is not the first time the town has needed to warn the public about misleading information from the association.

Ratepayers association continues to spread falsehoods – Oct. 21, 2021

Ratepayers association spreading false information – June 8, 2021

It is important that the public have the facts about the beachfront redevelopment.

On its Facebook page, in a post promoting the link to the association’s survey, the association states there are “secret negotiations” taking place regarding the sale of town-owned land at the beachfront.

The use of such language implies that the town is doing something wrong, is inflammatory, and misleading.  Under the Ontario Municipal Act, (239 (2) (c) negotiations pertaining to land transactions are permitted to be done confidentially to protect both parties and is common practice across Ontario.

The town is transparent about its efforts to redevelop the beachfront and has been upfront about the negotiation process. Town staff, as appropriate, update council members about the negotiations during closed session council meetings and, if required, receive relevant direction from council. The town will update the community when the negotiations conclude. For a detailed history, see our project page on the town website.

In addition, please review our latest news release, which speaks to the negotiations.

Our Beachfront redevelopment Q&A – updated as warranted – is also a great resource for information on this subject.

We have also shared related information via our monthly e-newsletter.

Sign up to receive future e-newsletters from the town.

In addition, media outlets have reported about the negotiations.

Wasaga Beach could reach deal for beachfront by end of April – Simcoe.com

Talks begin with new developer in beachfront lands – Max FM

The survey preamble speaks to the need for an “audit” of the developer prior to an agreement. This is misleading as the municipality’s due diligence includes ensuring the financial security of the company prior to an agreement. In addition, any agreement will be legally binding and subject to potential litigation if violated by either party.

The survey preamble also suggests there is no way for the public to share their thoughts about the redevelopment of town-owned land at the beachfront.  The public was extensively involved in the preparation of the Downtown Master Plan, Official Plan policies for the beachfront area, Zoning restrictions for the area, creation of design guidelines for development at the beachfront and the Environmental Assessment of these lands.   Under the Planning Act of Ontario there are no further requirements for public input.  The developer has proposed a development in keeping with these planning parameters. 

The public can communicate with the town in many ways.

At any time, the public can share their thoughts by e-mailing or calling the town or a member of council.

The public can also share their thoughts through our community engagement portal about any subject related to the town.

The public can also speak to the matter during council meetings whenever the subject is an agenda item.

The survey preamble also suggests that public meetings take place before any sale transaction is complete.  At the appropriate time, the proposed development for the town-owned lands at the beachfront will be shared with the public for information. 

The town is pursuing the redevelopment of its beachfront properties as one of council’s goals and priorities for the 2018-2022 term. Council as a whole established these goals at the start of the term, based on public input during the election.  The town has gone through an extensive public process to select preferred developers.  It is now negotiating with Bayloc, a reputable developer with a long history of building residential and mixed use communities in Wasaga Beach and the GTHA.

Please note the survey itself requires participants to provide an e-mail address. The town advises extreme caution when it comes to sharing personal information. Your e-mail could be used for purposes you had not intended.

The best source for accurate information about the town is the town website at www.wasagabeach.com.