A proposed waterfront development in South Frontenac has a number of people upset, including one high-profile environmentalist.
Opponents say the development is being proposed in an area that holds significant natural scientific interest and is home to a number of at-risk species.
Johnston Point is a 91-acre peninsula on Loughborough Lake just north of Kingston, and Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer is one of the concerned residents who lives nearby.
“It’s got all the layers of protection that it should need and yet the province has allowed for this permit exercise where industry and developers can apply to avoid the law,” Harmer said.
Magenta Waterfront Development Corp. wants to divide the area into 15 lots ranging in size from three to 10 acres.
While the development hasn’t been given final approval from Frontenac County, it has cleared a number of hurdles, including an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.
“It went to the Ontario Municipal Board. The board deemed it to be good planning and as part of that, there’s a list of conditions that have to be met before Frontenac County can give final approval,” said Joe Gallivan, the director of planning and economic development for Frontenac County. “And we’re still going through that process right now, including waiting for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority to sign off on some of the environment issues.”
The group opposing the development say numerous species will be affected if the development goes forward, including the Blanding’s turtle, Gray ratsnake, and Eastern whip-poor-will.
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