Friday Harbour Resort is seeking to lift the restrictions on occupancy limits for its condominium and townhome units.
In the early days of the development, restrictions were put in place that limit residents to occupying units for no more than 185 consecutive days. The original bylaw required owners to vacate the property for a 65-day period, or two periods of 35 days each – so that residents could only occupy their unit for 300 out of 365 days, legally.
It’s a restriction that some say makes little sense in an all-season resort, and five condominium corporations have since petitioned the Big Bay Point Resort Association to apply for a change to the rules.
“Our unit owners and their immediate families have long suffered and complained of the pains of having occupancy restrictions inhibit their use and enjoyment of their Friday Harbour Resort units and all the resort has to offer,” the association stated in its original application for a minor variance.
That application was withdrawn.
Instead Friday Harbour is now applying for Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendments that would lift the occupancy restrictions and allow year-round enjoyment of the amenities at Friday Harbour.
The occupancy rules have also been cited as an impediment to sales of the 2,600 built or planned condos and townhomes, and to the refinancing of mortgages.
No other changes to the Zoning or the Official Plan are requested.
The application notes that there is nothing in provincial legislation that requires any restriction on occupancy for a resort. In fact, owners can rent out or lend their units to others, during the 65 days they are currently banned from occupying the units - which means that, effectively, units can already be occupied 365 days a year.
The restrictions “have become unnecessary and an impediment to the sustained success of the resort and its potential economic and tourism benefits,” the application notes.
The changes may be 'housekeeping;' but several owners have indicated they already occupy their units year-round, and have never been challenged.
There will be a virtual planning meeting, under the Planning Act, to hear the applications on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. The planning meeting will be streamed live on the Town of Innisfil YouTube channel.
Planning documents and information on participating in the meeting are available at Get Involved Innisfil website; click here.
