Dear Mayor Brian Smith and Members of Council,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Wasaga Beach to formally express my opposition to the proposed townhome development on Ramblewood Drive. While I understand the need for sustainable growth, this development raises several significant concerns regarding environmental impact, neighbourhood character, and community infrastructure.
Reduction of Tree Canopy Along Carly Patterson Trail
The Carly Patterson Trail is valued for its natural shade, tranquility, and recreational importance. Removing this large section of adjacent mature tree canopy will increase trail temperatures, reduce air quality, and diminish the natural beauty that residents rely on for daily exercise and have intentionally chosen to live in this area to enjoy.
The loss of mature forested land will also reduce air purification, natural cooling, and stormwater absorption. These ecosystems serve as natural buffers between residential areas, support local biodiversity, mitigate urban heat, and provide critical environmental benefits that cannot be easily restored. Eliminating this remaining natural green space would reduce the community’s access to open natural areas, weaken neighbourhood character, and further erode the ecological value that mature landscapes provide.
Impact on Sensitive Wetlands and Harm to Local Wildlife
The surrounding area includes sensitive wetlands that support water filtration, flood prevention, and groundwater recharge. Development threatens these systems through runoff contamination, drainage disruption, and irreversible habitat loss.
The few forests and wetlands near Ramblewood Drive support diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, red foxes, snowshoe hares, Eastern chipmunks, chickadees, northern cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons, spring peepers, green frogs, salamanders, ducks, butterflies, dragonflies, native bees and painted turtles. These species depend on a continuous natural habitat for survival. Clearing land fragments in these corridors, also reduces biodiversity.
Increased Traffic and Roadway Congestion, Noise and Pollution
Ramblewood Drive already experiences high traffic volumes and speeding. Adding a dense residential development will not only increase congestion and elevate daily travel times for local residents, but higher traffic volumes inevitably lead to more noise and vehicle emissions, which negatively affect nearby homes and community health. Also, with this proposed high-density development, there will be an increase in light pollution thereby affecting evening enjoyment of nearby existing properties who specifically moved to this area to enjoy dark skies and starry nights.
Decline in Neighbourhood Character and Property Values
The introduction of high‑density townhomes is in stark contrast to the existing low‑density residential character of the area. Such sudden intensification may lead to overcrowding, increased noise, and diminished property values—particularly as mature trees and forest cover are removed. Established tree canopies and forested areas are well‑known contributors to neighbourhood desirability, offering natural shade, privacy, improved air quality, and a visually appealing streetscape. Their removal not only alters the character of the community but also reduces long‑term value and livability for current residents.
Strain on Local Elementary Schools
Local schools are already facing enrolment pressure. Additional residential density adds risk to overburdening our classrooms, thereby limiting resources, and impacting the quality of education. Given the rising enrolment trends across the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board it is unlikely that the school can accommodate hundreds of more students once these new development plans are set.
More importantly, the increase in traffic will significantly worsen safety concerns during school drop-off and pick-up times. The area is already congested and chaotic, with parents struggling to move safely in and out of the school zone. Adding hundreds of additional high-density housing units will only increase the volume of vehicles during these critical times, creating even more unsafe conditions for children.
Given these concerns, I respectfully request that the Town of Wasaga Beach reconsider or deny approval of this development in its current form. Thoughtful planning that protects natural assets, maintains neighbourhood character, and ensures infrastructure readiness is essential for long-term community well-being.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to continued public consultation on this matter.
Please join our Facebook group for further updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/26316936061223335
Sincerely,
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 18, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
January 24, 2026
164 Comments
The traffic around the school, on Ramblewood, is already very dangerous for students and parents. The increase of traffic for access to Costco will already increase the risks for all. Destroying the woodlands will play havoc on the wildlife.
The proposed project is utterly inconsistent with the Town’s goal of being a year-round tourist destination, with its natural beauty being the key attraction. There are better ways to go about development than the one proposed.
Protected land needs to be protected! A master plan was just created and it didn’t include this area for high density. Stand up and protect the land and the plan you just approved.
This site is a natural woodland located within a designated flood region. Due to these environmental constraints, the current road network and community infrastructure are not adequate to support such a level of residential development.
This is concerning for our natural habitats, the animals, the ecosystems and the environment. Coyotes are already roaming our streets in surrounding neighborhoods because of all the development. This has to stop! We have more than enough housing for our small town.
Ramblewood is already a high traffic area. There are elementary school children that particularly need to be considered. The additional homes will only add to the traffic and we can only imagine how Costco will impact the area. I feel confident that if further studies are conducted and if common sense is used the only choice would be to leave this area alone.
please do not ruin our neighbourhood, this would be a disaster - only detached home can be built here. Definite NO for massive townhouse development in the area.
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Dear Mayor Brian Smith and Members of Council,
I am writing as a concerned resident of Wasaga Beach to formally express my opposition to the proposed townhome development on Ramblewood Drive. While I understand the need for sustainable growth, this development raises several significant concerns regarding environmental impact, neighbourhood character, and community infrastructure.
Reduction of Tree Canopy Along Carly Patterson Trail
The Carly Patterson Trail is valued for its natural shade, tranquility, and recreational importance. Removing this large section of adjacent mature tree canopy will increase trail temperatures, reduce air quality, and diminish the natural beauty that residents rely on for daily exercise and have intentionally chosen to live in this area to enjoy.
The loss of mature forested land will also reduce air purification, natural cooling, and stormwater absorption. These ecosystems serve as natural buffers between residential areas, support local biodiversity, mitigate urban heat, and provide critical environmental benefits that cannot be easily restored. Eliminating this remaining natural green space would reduce the community’s access to open natural areas, weaken neighbourhood character, and further erode the ecological value that mature landscapes provide.
Impact on Sensitive Wetlands and Harm to Local Wildlife
The surrounding area includes sensitive wetlands that support water filtration, flood prevention, and groundwater recharge. Development threatens these systems through runoff contamination, drainage disruption, and irreversible habitat loss.
The few forests and wetlands near Ramblewood Drive support diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer, red foxes, snowshoe hares, Eastern chipmunks, chickadees, northern cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons, spring peepers, green frogs, salamanders, ducks, butterflies, dragonflies, native bees and painted turtles. These species depend on a continuous natural habitat for survival. Clearing land fragments in these corridors, also reduces biodiversity.
Increased Traffic and Roadway Congestion, Noise and Pollution
Ramblewood Drive already experiences high traffic volumes and speeding. Adding a dense residential development will not only increase congestion and elevate daily travel times for local residents, but higher traffic volumes inevitably lead to more noise and vehicle emissions, which negatively affect nearby homes and community health. Also, with this proposed high-density development, there will be an increase in light pollution thereby affecting evening enjoyment of nearby existing properties who specifically moved to this area to enjoy dark skies and starry nights.
Decline in Neighbourhood Character and Property Values
The introduction of high‑density townhomes is in stark contrast to the existing low‑density residential character of the area. Such sudden intensification may lead to overcrowding, increased noise, and diminished property values—particularly as mature trees and forest cover are removed. Established tree canopies and forested areas are well‑known contributors to neighbourhood desirability, offering natural shade, privacy, improved air quality, and a visually appealing streetscape. Their removal not only alters the character of the community but also reduces long‑term value and livability for current residents.
Strain on Local Elementary Schools
Local schools are already facing enrolment pressure. Additional residential density adds risk to overburdening our classrooms, thereby limiting resources, and impacting the quality of education. Given the rising enrolment trends across the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board it is unlikely that the school can accommodate hundreds of more students once these new development plans are set.
More importantly, the increase in traffic will significantly worsen safety concerns during school drop-off and pick-up times. The area is already congested and chaotic, with parents struggling to move safely in and out of the school zone. Adding hundreds of additional high-density housing units will only increase the volume of vehicles during these critical times, creating even more unsafe conditions for children.
Given these concerns, I respectfully request that the Town of Wasaga Beach reconsider or deny approval of this development in its current form. Thoughtful planning that protects natural assets, maintains neighbourhood character, and ensures infrastructure readiness is essential for long-term community well-being.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to continued public consultation on this matter.
Please join our Facebook group for further updates: https://www.facebook.com/groups/26316936061223335
Sincerely,
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
March 18, 2026
Reached 100 supporters
January 24, 2026
164 Comments
I grew up in Wasaga Beach during the 70’s and 80’s and am beyond disappointed of what it’s turned into. You take away any more of the natural beauty and you’ll have nothing special left. Just another overpopulated town about to become a city. Nothing unique about that.
The traffic around the school, on Ramblewood, is already very dangerous for students and parents. The increase of traffic for access to Costco will already increase the risks for all. Destroying the woodlands will play havoc on the wildlife.
The proposed project is utterly inconsistent with the Town’s goal of being a year-round tourist destination, with its natural beauty being the key attraction. There are better ways to go about development than the one proposed.
Protected land needs to be protected! A master plan was just created and it didn’t include this area for high density. Stand up and protect the land and the plan you just approved.
This site is a natural woodland located within a designated flood region. Due to these environmental constraints, the current road network and community infrastructure are not adequate to support such a level of residential development.
This is concerning for our natural habitats, the animals, the ecosystems and the environment. Coyotes are already roaming our streets in surrounding neighborhoods because of all the development. This has to stop! We have more than enough housing for our small town.
Ramblewood is already a high traffic area. There are elementary school children that particularly need to be considered. The additional homes will only add to the traffic and we can only imagine how Costco will impact the area. I feel confident that if further studies are conducted and if common sense is used the only choice would be to leave this area alone.
please do not ruin our neighbourhood, this would be a disaster - only detached home can be built here. Definite NO for massive townhouse development in the area.
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I grew up in Wasaga Beach during the 70’s and 80’s and am beyond disappointed of what it’s turned into. You take away any more of the natural beauty and you’ll have nothing special left. Just another overpopulated town about to become a city. Nothing unique about that.