During last Wednesday’s council meeting, a company known as Muskoka River’s Edge Inc. was given final approval to proceed with a 98-unit condominium community on Spencer Street, off Santa’s Village Road. By late last week, work at the site had already begun.

The project was actually approved several years ago for 148 units, but during the last development services committee meeting councillors heard that the developer is now looking for fewer units.

The committee was shown plans for the project, which amounts to a privately owned neighbourhood with a community swimming pool, private roads and several amenity areas, with community facilities such as benches and gazebos.

At one time the property was owned by Gravenhurst businessman Roland Hejna before he defaulted on millions of dollars in loans. Dozens of his local properties fell into receivership last year.

One of the conditions of the previously approved site plan requested the developer to create either a publicly accessible pedestrian linkage along the waterfront that would connect Annie Williams Park with the Wellington Street bridge, or dedication to the town of on-site parks/playground equipment.

Councillor Scott Young asked if the developer had a preference for one of the conditions. Director of development services Kim Horrigan replied that the developer intends to put walking trails in the development but wants to have more discussion.

“People like to walk along the water rather than through a subdivision,” said Young. “We’re challenged in that there are not a lot of places where people can walk along the waterfront where they don’t have to contend with vehicles. I think there’s an opportunity here and we should go for it.”

Young said if the developer wants to be a Good Samaritan, he can also put in the playground equipment. “I’d be all too happy to have that too,” he said.

Councillor Barry Young said he has no problem eliminating the playground equipment, and perhaps the development will include an internal park or playground.

“I would love to put the walkways in and the parks,” he said. “I would like the best of two worlds.”

The committee agreed, and the condition requiring a walkway or a park was amended to include a walkway and a park.

Horrigan said yesterday that staff from the development services department have scheduled a meeting with the developer to discuss the town’s new requirements.