Future use of 51 Dunlop Street

Through this survey, the Town will gather feedback and ideas from the community on how to best use the land at 51 Dunlop Street, within some parameters. At this stage, detailed costing and financial implications for each option is not available. When weighing each option, consider each opportunity as financially equal.

Currently the site is designated as a Neighbourhood Area. This means that it can be used for low and medium density residential uses, neighbourhood commercial uses (such as convenience retail), community facilities, and parks and open space. The designation also encourages pedestrian access to the area.

The site is next to undeveloped land that is earmarked for employment growth. We need to consider options that would be compatible with future commercial development.

In May 2022, staff delivered a report to council to outline several options for future use of 51 Dunlop. Before any development of the land, the Town must complete a detailed Secondary Plan that is supported by various studies, which could include transportation impact assessment, market analysis, urban design guidelines and overall community design plans.

Please review the options below before you provide your input.

Multi-Use Recreation Centre

Things to consider 

• Public input gathered during the Arena and Recreation Study demonstrated that people preferred building a new multi-use recreation centre over other options.
• The Arena Study identified 51 Dunlop Street as a preferred location for a new multi-use recreation centre due to its proximity to existing residential areas and land where future development is expected.
• Building a new recreation centre will help replace aging facilities and expand recreational programs and activities for the community.

Housing Development 

Things to consider 

• One of the Town’s top priorities is to encourage more attainable housing, including attractive rental housing.
• 51 Dunlop Street is designated as a Neighbourhood Area which permits low and medium residential development. If high density residential development is considered, the site may need to be re-zoned, and other development approvals may also be required.
• The County of Simcoe is responsible to plan, fund and manage the County’s social housing system. This limits the Town of Penetanguishene’s ability to ensure appropriate and affordable housing is developed on the site.
• Any housing at the site would need to be compatible with the future employment lands next to the property.

Health and Community Facilities 

Things to consider

• Health and community facilities could include health clinics, treatment facilities, government facilities, childcare centres, museums, or other cultural facilities that can meet our community’s needs.
• Depending on the scale of what is proposed, the site might need to be re-zoned to accommodate this kind of development.
• The site is large enough to consider a variety of health and community facilities. It’s close to an existing residential area and future development.
• The site is outside of the downtown core area where businesses and services are located.

Future School Site 

Things to consider

• The Town could partner with a local school board for potential combination use of this property.
• 51 Dunlop Street is the site of the former Penetanguishene Secondary School. The site is large, vacant and serviced for use as a school.
• A future school site is permitted under the Official Plan and would not require changes to zoning.
• Some community members have expressed interest in the Town partnering with a local school board to build a new school site.

Combination of Uses

Things to consider 

Retain for Future Use 

Things to consider 

• Under this option, the Town would retain the property and make a future decision on its use as other municipal needs are identified.
• The land would sit vacant, with no services or benefit to the community and will not generate tax revenue.