Summer Update

It’s official – there will be no COA in July.  According to the City of Barrie, there has been no new news regarding the application and no requests made by the applicants.  We still need public support however to have Woodlawn designated as a heritage property and we encourage you to contact EHodgins@barrie.ca if you haven’t done so already.

I know this community joins with us in wanting to see Woodlawn converted into a project we could all be really proud of.  Imagine its use as a wonderful B&B, an art shop/café or a museum! 

Also, if anyone browsing our site has interior photos of Woodlawn, please contact the SWC.  It would be much appreciated.

Thanks as well for your ongoing support and interest in this cause.  We will be needing the community to mobilize once again in the fall.  Thanks and enjoy your holidays !

The Save Woodlawn Coalition

As we enter July…

A quick update based on a conversation this week with Ms. Amy Knapp of the City of Barrie:

1)  The severance application still stands as a three-way division of the existing land – one new lot on either side of the current central lot on which the house stands for a total of three lots.  I think there may have been some confusion on this matter but the original application which asked for four lots was officially amended as of 16 May 2006.

2)  The applicant did not meet the deadline for the June COA, stating that the vegetation inventory was still incomplete.  The next COA is 19 July 2006 and the applicant must give the City 14 days notice if he plans to make that date.  That means he has until next Wednesday to let them know so that the City can let us know and update the sign.  As it stands right now, nothing is happening in July but we’ll keep you posted if we find out anything new.

3)  Still no word on the heritage designation.  We encourage all interested parties to help push for this designation by writing or emailing Heritage Barrie (c/o Eric Hodgins at the City of Barrie:  ehodgins@city.barrie.on.ca) as well as your local alderman to insist on the need for this important protective measure.  Without it, the future of this house is precariously uncertain.

NB:  A heritage designation does not mean that the house can not be altered in any way.  It simply means that its selected heritage features must be preserved.  Future owners will still be able to renovate for their own purposes as necessary.  For more information, check out the sidebar link regarding heritage designations.

Enjoy your long weekend and thank you for your continued interest.

The Save Woodlawn Coalition

Deferral #2

Thank you to all of you who have called or stopped by to find out what happened at the 24 May COA meeting. The turnout for the meeting was good but we were disappointed to not see more neighbours and friends out to show their support. It was, however, a difficult time just following the May long weekend. Hopefully we'll have more people at the next COA meeting. Yes, you read correctly, the next COA meeting. Once again, the decision was to defer. Here's a brief summary:

Mr. Tim Cane of Jones Consulting formally notified the COA of their request to change the application to a severance of two lots rather than the original three. He presented a variety of arguments (e.g., tree inventory, open porch comments, Heritage Barrie comments, etc.) but summed up by stating that he thought this revised proposal was appropriate and consistent with the neighbourhood and that he and his client did not want to drag this matter out any longer.

TONIGHT IS THE BIG NIGHT!

A reminder to all of you in the Sunnidale community and beyond that tonight, 24 May, is the night of the deferred Committee of Adjustment meeting. It will be held at 6:30 pm in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Save Woodlawn Coalition graciously asks all those with an interest in this matter to attend tonight's very important meeting.

We have received official word from the City's Zoning Office (c/o Amy Knapp) that the application has been amended to ask for a severance of two lots rather than three. It will be one of the three options presented at the Open Porch of 11 May (see Developer's Open House 5 Options, at side bar on right). Although this is an improvement over what was originally planned, it will still result in a substantial change to the look and feel of this location.

Beautiful New Pic

Beautiful new winter Woodlawn shot added to picture page. 

Commentary on Developer’s Flyer

I was really concerned when I read the flyer hand-delivered by the potential developer of the 96 Sunnidale Road property. I apologize for not posting my commentary right away, but the flyer wasn't delivered to all houses – just some.

My concerns:

• There is no proposed revival of Woodlawn, only an application to sever the lot on which it sits, into 4 lots.

Description from COA application:

 

Continued

COA DEFERRAL DATE MAY 24, 2006

TO: To All Interested Parties
FROM: AMY KNAPP, City of Barrie Zoning Department

THROUGH: Dave Read, Manager of Zoning, City of Barrie

DATE: April 24, 2006

FILE NO: B8, B9 & B10/06
RE: 96 Sunnidale Road

Further to the April 19, 2006 Committee of Adjustment Hearing, the Committee Members approved deferral of the above-noted applications.  They will be heard on May 24, 2006, at the applicant's request.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dave Read or Amy Knapp at 739-4212.

Download ORIGINAL PDF

Addendum by marlene:  This meeting will take place in City Hall's Council Chambers at 6:30 pm, Thursday 24 May.  The Save Woodlawn Coalition strongly encourages all interested parties to attend this meeting.  In addition, letters regarding the proposed severance can still be sent to Amy Knapp up to and including the date of the new COA.  If you have comments about this proposed plan that you would like the COA to hear, please write c/o Amy Knapp at aknapp@city.barrie.on.ca.  Thank you so much for your interest and support.  m