Council Communiqué, N&V, Sep. 1981
The Fritz Farm Planning Committee, organized with representatives drawn from both Council and private citizens with an interest in the development of Baie d'Urfé as a community, after many months of meetings, effort and hard work, finally presented Council with an outline plan concerning the property and buildings of the Fritz estate. The suggestions, which covered the potential use and layout of recreational areas within the property itself as well as use for the buildings, have in large part been accepted by Council.
With respect to a waterfront park, this portion of the estate was deeded to the town on the condition that it be used for public recreational purposes, and indeed, work has continued through the summer in clearing and levelling this land preparatory to its use as a public park.
The suggestions concerning the internal layout and use of the property north of Lakeshore Road were presented as tentative recommendations, depending on future needs of the town for recreational facilities. The Committee recognized that these needs will be determined by future developments but suggested that a perimeter "park" circumscribe the whole area as an intervening "green space" between whatever core activities may be provided for and Council was in agreement with this.
Tentative parking areas were also suggested depending on the type and number of core activities. While these suggestions have been taken under advisement pending a clearer picture of future needs, the parking area adjacent to the Whiteside Taylor Centre is already being expanded and should provide some relief to the congested parking condition that occurs there from time to time.
With respect to the buildings, it was recommended that the Main House and the Cottage be rented over the short term until future public needs for these buildings have been more clearly identified. The Cottage has been rented for some time and action is now under way to rent the Main House this coming fall. In the meantime, these buildings have required considerable maintenance to keep them in suitable condition and this has been carried out. The Committee recommended that the Garage/Apartment be demolished since it was in an advanced state of deterioration and the cost of repairs would have been prohibitive. Council has agreed with this recommendation and the building has been demolished.
Finally, the Committee recommended that the Barn be maintained and developed as a "focal point for all activities in the town". On this single point Council was unable to reach agreement. Buildings used for public occupancy (theatre, public meetings, etc.) must conform to certain provisions in the building code which relate to public safety and fire protection - and the costs associated with upgrading the barn to meet these provisions are fairly high.
Given the tentative nature of the proposed uses, the high capital costs for upgrading the building, the appreciable operating costs that could be expected, and the other options that are presently or potentially available, (Whiteside Taylor Centre and perhaps Oakridge School), Council could not agree to this very general recommendation and requested more detailed and specific proposals so that a cost/benefit analysis could be undertaken prior to making any decision.
All in all the committee has done a fine piece of work and Council is appreciative and expresses its thanks to all members of the Committee for the time and thought they have devoted to this project.
Harold Elgee
Councillor
References
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