Council supports new facility for special needs adults in Tay

A new high-needs adult residential facility got the nod from Tay Township council MOnday.

At a recent meeting, councillors heard details about the facility set to be constructed on 3100 Triple Bay Rd.

Dr. Howard Bloom, co-founder of Apple Blosson Village, a similar facility in Oro-Medonte, is seeking a minister's zoning order to bypass the township and county official plan and zoning amendments.

He gave an overview of the project which will cater to people with complex special needs, including people with severe autism. 

At a previous meeting, council had requested that staff hold a public information session to get feedback from residents in the area. 

Mayor Ted Walker brought forward two concerns from the Hunters and Anglers Club, which owns and uses the property that abuts Bloom's land.

"They ask, 'You must acknowledge in writing that you're aware some of our members own guns and hunt on the property,'" said Walker. "What assurance can you give us that your residents will not complain about the noise from our property and that staff and residents will not trespass on the club's property, especially during hunting season?"

Bloom said one way to mitigate those concerns is through the use of a perimeter fence, which is a feature at all his other facilities, too.

"I would hope they're adequate in identifying property lines," he said.

Bloom added that residents at Cherry Blossom Village, the new facility, will stay on the property.

"I've seen and walked the property and have pointed out that their gun range is 4,000 feet from our build," he said.   

Bloom said he hasn't heard noise from the gun range. 

"I'm assuming folks in the community aren't disturbed by the noise," he said. "I would imagine that like anywhere else there would be gunshots and we would hear them and get used to them." 

Walker said during his tour (pre-COVID) he was impressed by the facility.

"And not just with the facility, but with the happy family atmosphere," he added.  

Coun. Mary Warnock said she thought it would be a boon for the community. 

"This will be good for everybody concerned," she said. "We have a high need in the area that isn't being serviced. And I love the way you run your organization." 

Coun. Jeff Bumstead said this project was a step towards discussions he had had with Walker after being elected.

"We talked about how nice it would be to have facilities like this in the area," said Bumstead. "They usually go larger urban centres. (I'm) very excited about the facility coming here and look forward to positive news down the road." 

Steve Farquharson, general manager of protective and development services and manager of planning and development services, talked about next steps.

"We have received some comment from the public and we will assemble those and provide it to council at the end of the month," he said. "Then the next step would be to show support and take it county council and once you get support from there, it goes to the minister's office."