MULDREW LAKES COTTAGERS' ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 659
Gravenhurst, Ontario
P1P 1T9
www.muldrewlakes.ca
Dear MLCA Member,
This letter is to inform you of the MLCA’s position regarding Planning Act applications.
As a separate attachment you will find the Citizens Guide to Land Use Planning and the
Muldrew Specific by-laws in the Gravenhurst Official Plan.
The objective of the MLCA is to “Serve the Muldrew Lakes community as a whole.” And
“act in an advocacy roll with various levels of government, agencies or other appropriate
bodies to safeguard the interests of association members”.
In furtherance of these objectives, when agency comments are requested by the Town
of Gravenhurst (TOG) on any Planning Act application, the MLCA will encourage
adherence to the Gravenhurst Official Plan (GOP) and Zoning By-laws whenever
possible, recognizing that the TOG can and will entertain severances, minor variances,
as well as amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws on a case by case
basis. The TOG looks at each application on their own merits. No two applications are
the same and there is no precedent setting by any approval or denial of an application.
The MLCA will be consistent with how we communicate with the applicants and the
TOG. The MLCA’s position is captured in the following statement
“The MLCA believes that all Planning Act applications on the Muldrew Lakes
should conform to the relevant policies of the Gravenhurst Official Plan (GOP)
and comply with all relevant provisions of the Gravenhurst Comprehensive
Zoning By-law. We do, however, acknowledge that there may be circumstances
where amendments are necessary and, in these cases, conforming to the intent
and purpose of the GOP policies is integral to preserving the ecological integrity
and well-being of the lake community."
The following is from the Muldrew Lake specific portion of the GOP and is important
when considering any applications for zoning by-law applications.
D17.3.1 The special character of the Muldrew Lakes (North, South and Middle) as a
series of long, relatively narrow channels are recognized. This contributes to a natural
visual appearance when looking down the lakes, with a shoreline predominated by trees
and natural vegetation and modest sized cottages with very few boathouses. The
unique qualities of the Muldrew Lakes, environmental health, and water quality of the
lakes is to be maintained and enhanced, while allowing for modest development and
reasonable redevelopment, in keeping with the character of the lake.
If you have any questions regarding this process the Planning Department in
Gravenhurst is more than happy to spend the time with you. If you have a question or
comment for the MLCA Board of Directors please send an email to
president@muldrewlakes.ca and we will do our best to answer your question.
Sincerely,
Tim Luke
MLCA President
president@muldrewlakes.ca
Muldrew Specific By-Laws in GOP.pdf
Citizens Guide to Land Use Planning.pdf