The MLA partnered with the Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization and the Leonard Lake
Stakeholders Association to support the Township of Muskoka Lakes and the District of
Muskoka in upholding the TML OP. The appeals would have resulted in the removal of longstanding policies protecting the unique environment of Muskoka, including limits on lot coverage and a 2,000-meter buffer zone from lakes for aggregate pits and quarries.

In its ruling, the Tribunal agreed with the Lake Associations that the developer group did not state how the TML OP was inconsistent with the Provincial Planning Statement or how it failed to conform with the District of Muskoka’s Official Plan, which was the basis of its appeal.

Appeals of the aggregates policies by Miller Paving and Lippa Quarry were also dismissed in
part for the same reasons. The groups were seeking to overturn an earlier ruling in favour of the MLA and partners in support of the plan.

“The Leonard Lake Stakeholders Association (LLSA) is pleased with the Ontario Land
Tribunal’s decision. After an exhaustive public consultation process, the TML OP, which
focuses on the environment and responsible development, will take effect. We would like to
thank the MLA for leading the defence of the TML OP and look forward to our continued
partnership to protect Muskoka.” said Mark Scarrow, President of the Leonard Lake
Stakeholders Association.

Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization Co-President Jeff Crocker said, “The OLT’s decision
reaffirms that the Township’s OP was created in an open and fair process. While we’re pleased that the developer group’s appeals were dismissed, we’re disappointed that the appeals by aggregates industry players Lippa and Miller Paving were only dismissed in part, unlike the original ruling which dismissed them entirely. We’re confident that the Township will prevail in its efforts to protect our most precious assets – our lakes, our environment, our water. The SLCO stands ready to support that effort.”

The TML OP was passed by the Township of Muskoka Lakes Council in October 2022 and was adopted by the District of Muskoka in November 2023, following an extensive, four-year consultation process that heard from the public, including lake associations such as the MLA.

The forward-looking plan is grounded in shared values: protecting the environment, supporting responsible development and preserving Muskoka’s unique character.

The MLA and partners will continue to participate in the TML OP next steps, including the
Comprehensive Zoning By-Law update which implements the plan. The process is currently
underway and members of the public can stay informed by visiting the TML website.
The MLA and partners thank TML’s Council and Mayor Peter Kelley for their leadership in
creating and defending the visionary plan which will help ensure Muskoka is preserved and
enhanced for the future. They also thank the District of Muskoka for its support, including District Chair Jeff Lehman.

The post Muskoka Lakes Official Plan Upheld: Muskoka Lakes Association And Partners Welcome Ontario Land Tribunal’s Decision appeared first on Muskoka411.

Said MLA President Ken Pearce, “The Tribunal’s decision is a clear win for responsible development and everyone who loves Muskoka’s unique environment, clean water and natural shorelines. Our lakes and forests are a finite resource and growth and development should be approached carefully.” 

The MLA partnered with the Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization and the Leonard Lake Stakeholders Association to support the Township of Muskoka Lakes and the District of Muskoka in upholding the TML OP.

Said Mark Scarrow, President of Leonard Lake Stakeholders Association, “I am very pleased that the Official Plan of the Township stands intact. It is a big win for the lakes in the Township who worked so hard to develop tailored lake plan provisions, providing additional protections and which now continue to be an integral part of the Township Official Plan.”

The appeals would have resulted in the removal of long-standing policies protecting the unique environment of Muskoka including limits on lot coverage and a 2,000-meter buffer zone from lakes for aggregate pits and quarries.

Skeleton Lake Cottagers Organization President Jeff Crocker said, “The OLT’s decision reaffirms what we already knew – the Township’s new OP was created in an open, fair and public process that engaged stakeholders at all levels.  And, it only makes sense that new pits and quarries be located a safe distance away from sensitive areas and lakefront communities.  This Plan will serve Muskoka Lakes well for generations to come.” 

The TML OP was passed by Township of Muskoka Lakes Council in October 2022, and adopted by the District in November 2023, following an extensive, four-year consultation process that heard from the public, including lake associations such as the MLA. The forward-looking plan is grounded in shared values: protecting the environment, supporting responsible development and preserving Muskoka’s unique character.

In its ruling, the Tribunal found the plan’s opponents failed to satisfy the statutory requirements to lodge an appeal and, in one case, expanded the issues under appeal from 150 policies in its notice of appeal to over 500 policies, including all of the environmental and waterfront policies.  The Tribunal also found the appellants had a fair opportunity to participate in the original process.

The MLA and partners will continue to participate in the TML OP next steps, including the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law update which implements the plan. The process is currently underway and members of the public can stay informed by visiting the TML website.

The MLA and partners thank TML’s Council and Mayor Peter Kelley for their leadership in creating and defending the visionary plan which will help ensure Muskoka is preserved and enhanced for the future. They also thank the District of Muskoka for its support, including District Chair Jeff Lehman. 

NOTE: Due to the Tribunal’s ruling, the Rally to Stand Up for Muskoka, scheduled for August 9th at the Milford Bay Community Centre, has been cancelled.

The post Muskoka Lakes Association And Partners Confirm Ontario Land Tribunal Dismissal Of Muskoka Lakes Official Plan Appeals appeared first on Muskoka411.

Under the MLA banner, the group will continue to advocate for responsible development and the protection of Muskoka’s unique environment, engaging in watershed and shoreline protection, development and zoning reviews, Official Plan updates and township budgets and accountability.

Said MLA President Ken Pearce, “With continued challenges to our environment and water quality, it’s more important than ever to raise our voices in support of Muskoka. We are stronger together.”

Said FOM President and Co-founder Laurie Thomson, “Friends of Muskoka has accomplished a great deal over the past seven years, much of it working hand in hand with the MLA.  We are excited to be formally joining forces with them to continue to protect what we all love about Muskoka.”

The MLA and FOM’s successful collaborations include opposing residential subdivisions masquerading as resorts, engaging in local elections and supporting policies protecting the environment and water quality, including in the Township of Muskoka Lakes (TML) Official Plan.

Thomson and Pearce say current concerns include efforts to roll back environmental protections and other gains captured in TML’s OP, as well as the recently-announced proposal for a massive development in Muskoka Bay which doesn’t comply with numerous planning requirements.

Friends of Muskoka was formed in 2017 to oppose residential subdivisions at commercial densities at waterfront resorts in Muskoka. With over 4,000 supporters, the group worked to protect and preserve the natural environment and unique character of Muskoka by promoting responsible use and development of its land and lakes.

The Muskoka Lakes Association has approximately 2,000 member families representing 11,500 individuals who live, work on or enjoy the Muskoka Lakes. Founded in 1894, it is North America’s oldest and one of its largest lake associations, with a mission to preserve and enhance Muskoka’s unique environment for all generations.

For more information or to request an interview with Ken Pearce or Laurie Thomson, please contact the MLA at (705) 765-5723 or info@mla.on.ca.

The post Stronger Together: Friends Of Muskoka Joins Forces With The Muskoka Lakes Association appeared first on Muskoka411.

“Jocelyn and Aidan are dedicated young leaders with strong track records of achievement and engagement in their schools and communities. They embody many of the MLA’s valuesincluding leadership, integrity and collaboration and so we’re very proud to support their next educational steps. The MLA typically grants only one bursary per year, but it was impossible to choose between these two extraordinary young people so the MLA Board unanimously approved two bursaries this year. The MLA wishes both recipients the best of luck as they head off to university in the fall” said Susan Eplett, President of the Muskoka Lakes Association.

In the student recipients’ own words:

“Solving problems energizes me and a career in math or engineering will let me use my leadership skills, my love of solving problems, and my appreciation for collaboration. I look forward to returning to Muskoka to give of my time and talents to protect and nurture the land that I have grown up on and to responsibly design and reinvent structures.” Jocelyn

“Having two recipients this year is a large contribution as it means the MLA is investing in the future generations, and stewards to Muskoka. I would like to extend my gratitude to the entire MLA team for their unwavering support, especially you and the others involved in the administering of this bursary program. I would also like to thank the team for supporting me with my journey, and future endeavours.” Aidan

The annual $5000 Bursary to a Muskoka student is part of the MLA’s commitment to strengthen and support the greater Muskoka Lakes community – key to its mission to preserve and enhance Muskoka for all generations.  The selection committee seeks students who reflect the MLA’s values, demonstrate a financial need for their post-secondary education, and expect to return to, or continue to influence, the communities of Muskoka.  

The MLA advocates for responsible stewardship and enjoyment of the unique environment of the Muskoka Lakes. The 2000-member volunteer organization represents anyone who works on, lives on or enjoys the lakes.

For more information or to become a member please contact the MLA’s Port Carling office at 1-705-765-5723 or info@mla.on.ca

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The Be #WakeAware campaign and video is part of an ongoing effort to address the sentiments expressed in that meeting. The video was shot by Jake Thomas of Wiley Productions. The three financial and distribution supporters of the video include the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA), Safe Quiet Lakes (SQL) and the Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Association (FOCA).

This campaign and video will not be a silver bullet for responsible wakes, but it will work in concert with the No Wake sign designed and sold by the MLA and SQL along with other messages on all three of the sponsor’s websites.

Please visit www.bewakeaware.com and share both this webpage and the embedded video to help make all boaters in Muskoka Be #WakeAware.

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