Development aims to 'clean up' Ramsey Lake

The Sudbury developer behind a proposed 130-home waterfront complex says it will improve the quality of the water in Ramsey Lake.

Norm Eady wants to build the houses and condos on 50 acres off Keast Drive on the south end of the lake a plan that includes bringing in sewer systems for dozens of existing waterfront homes, getting rid of the septic tanks many blame for lake pollution.

Eady said this type of inner-city development will also lead to more Sudburians walking and taking transit to work.

"The city wants to grow on one hand, but nobody wants it to be in their backyard," he said.

"But we'd rather jump on buses and build out in Capreol and the Valley. But it's coming home now, the cost of doing that. We have to be forward thinking."

A proposal to build just eight homes on this same section of untouched shoreline of Ramsey Lake was rejected a few years back.

But Eady explained that plan involved septic tanks, which many blame for blue-green algae and other water problems in Ramsey.

Project needs approval

He added he will help the city pay to put in sewer systems for his development, as well as existing lakefront homes.

"This is not there to destroy it," Eady said.

"This is actually a very nice fit. This is going to help clean it up."

But Lily Noble with the Ramsey Lake Stewardship Committee isn't sure about that.

"[Im] not saying that we have to make sure that this development does not go ahead. I don't think we're that unrealistic," she said.

"But we do want to make sure that the least impact on Ramsey Lake occurs."

Noble said she hopes the development can be fine-tuned in the coming months, before city councillors say yes or no.

The proposed subdivision still needs the approval of Sudbury city council before construction can begin and a public hearing has yet to be scheduled.