Clevelands House Minett Development – TL;DR

The Clevelands House Minett development is still waiting on site-specific approvals. Phase 1 includes 48 rental cabins, a wellness and sports village, and a rebuilt 215-slip marina. Before construction can begin, Township Council must decide on OPA 64 and the zoning changes on November 25, 2025, followed by District approval and a short appeal window. If everything is approved without delays, demolition could begin in 2026 and Phase 1 cabins may open as early as 2027–2028.

Aerial view of the historic Clevelands House resort buildings, which are slated for demolition as part of Phase 1.

If you spend any time on Lake Rosseau, you’ve probably asked some version of the same question:

“What’s actually happening with Clevelands House?”

Since the developer’s December 2023 information sessions, cottagers and locals have had a much clearer picture of what’s proposed — but a lot of people still aren’t sure where the project actually stands, what’s holding it up, and what’s happening next for this landmark site on Lake Rosseau in Minett.

Short answer:

Nothing is being built yet. The developer needs approval for OPA-64 and site-specific zoning. The big decision point is the November 25, 2025 Planning Committee meeting — that’s when we’ll finally know what can move forward.

This post is meant to be your “start here” explainer:

• how approvals went from 4,000 units down to 1,700

• what Phase 1 of the Clevelands House development in Minett actually includes

• why everything stalled at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

• what OPA 64 and the new zoning application are asking for

• when construction could realistically begin
•  and what the upcoming Township decision could mean for you

If you want every word from the developer’s December 2023 virtual open house, we’ve posted the full transcript separately. You can read it here.

From 4,000 Units to 1,700 – How Minett’s Development Was Scaled Back

Quick Timeline: How Minett’s Development Permissions Changed

• 2008 — Ontario Municipal Board approves the “Resort Village of Minett” plan, allowing up to 4,000 units across the Clevelands House, Wallace Bay, and Rock Golf Course lands. (This plan was led by developer Ken Fowler.)

• 2017 — Original developer Ken Fowler passes away, leaving the large-scale 4,000 unit approvals in place but with no active buildout.

• 2018–2021 — Township of Muskoka Lakes undertakes the Minett policy review, working with MLA, Friends of Muskoka, and new landowners to reassess the 4,000 unit framework.

• 2019 — Developer Mitch Goldhar purchases the Clevelands House property, explicitly opposing the old 4,000 unit vision and aligning with the shift toward lower density.

• December 2021 — OPA 56 adopted, reducing permissions from 4,000 units to ~1,700 and adding much stricter environmental and shoreline rules.

• July 2025 — OLT dismisses appeals, confirming OPA 56 as the final governing framework and clearing the path for new site-specific approvals (OPA 64, zoning, Phase 1).

Background: The Original 4,000-Unit Plan

To understand today’s Clevelands House development in Minett, you have to start with the previous plan.

In 2008, the Ontario Municipal Board approved a “Resort Village of Minett” concept with up to 4,000 units spread across the area, including Clevelands House, The Rock Golf Course, and Wallace Bay.

The JW Marriott Rosseau was built as Phase 1. The rest of the plan stalled, but the high-density permissions stayed on the books.

Local residents, the Muskoka Lakes Association (MLA), and Friends of Muskoka were understandably worried about what 4,000 units could mean for the lake, traffic, and the landscape.

In 2019, Mitch Goldhar bought the Clevelands House property (including the marina and golf course). He has said more than once that he bought it “more to stop something than to do something” — meaning to prevent someone else from building out the full 4,000-unit vision.

That purchase lined up with a bigger policy shift:

• The Township launched a Minett policy review.

• That work led to OPA 56, a special Official Plan Amendment for Minett.

• OPA 56 cut the overall cap down to about 1,700 units, and brought in stricter rules for heights, shoreline buffers, wetlands, and environmental protection.

Goldhar’s team, the Township, MLA, and Friends of Muskoka all spent years at that table. The result: a new framework where something can be built at Clevelands House, but not the 4,000-unit resort village previously allowed.

Phase 1 of the Clevelands House Development – What’s Actually Planned

So what is the Clevelands House development in Minett actually proposing to build first?

Detailed site plan map for the Clevelands House Minett development. The image shows the proposed Phase 1 layout, including the wellness centre with indoor courts and fitness spaces, the expanded 215-slip marina, 48 resort cabins in 10 designs, 17 outdoor sport courts, the tennis pavilion, the 118-foot viewing tower, public and private beach areas, five access points, and the location of the new water and wastewater treatment plant that will be transferred to the District of Muskoka upon completion. This reflects what is being requested under OPA 64 and ZBA-22/23.

Phase 1 focuses on about 37 acres around the old resort core. It’s framed as a lower-density, cottage-style resort village with:

Cabins, not condos (for now)

• About 48 cabins are planned in Phase 1.

• They’re designed as rental units, not individually owned condos.

• Mostly wood, low-rise, cottage-scale architecture in different styles and sizes.

• The idea is a cluster of cabins in the trees, not a wall of hotel rooms.

Goldhar has said repeatedly that he doesn’t plan to condo-ize the cabins in Phase 1 — he intends to own and operate them as a resort — but he has also left himself some flexibility for the future.

Wellness and recreation “village” core

This area includes:

• indoor courts (tennis, squash, padel)

• gym, spa, yoga, wellness spaces

• retail and restaurant spaces

• outdoor courts, gathering areas, amphitheatre

Think of it as a three-season (possibly year-round) sports and wellness hub that serves cottagers as much as overnight guests.

Marina expansion and upgrades

Aerial view of Wallace Bay and the current Clevelands House marina, with JW Marriott the Rosseau in the background.

The existing Clevelands House/Wallace Bay marina would be:

• fully rebuilt with a new main building, service area, and boat storage

• expanded to around 215 slips (up from roughly 125 today)

• Public access is not guaranteed yet — it’s an intention, not a policy.

• No boat traffic study has been released.

That number isn’t new; it’s essentially what earlier approvals already allowed. At the 2023 sessions, several residents raised concerns about congestion in Wallace Bay, and no formal boat-traffic management plan has been presented yet. Goldhar said his preference is for the marina and many amenities to remain publicly accessible “as much as possible,” but final operating details are still being worked out.

Infrastructure: sewage, water, and services

A big part of Phase 1 is invisible but crucial:

• a new sewage treatment plant

• a new water treatment plant

• road and servicing upgrades across the site

These are meant to meet modern standards and be turned over to the District. For anyone who remembers the historic sewage concerns in Wallace Bay, this is an important piece.

Why It Took So Long: OLT Appeals and the July 2025 Decision

If you’ve driven by Cleves over the past few summers, you’ve probably wondered why nothing is happening beyond boarded-up buildings and overgrown lawns.

The short answer: the Official Plan was under appeal.

After the Township approved its new Official Plan (which incorporates the Minett policies established through OPA 56), several developers and industry groups appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

Those appeals challenged a wide range of policies, including the rules that govern Minett and the Clevelands House lands.

While the appeals were active:

• major demolition and redevelopment couldn’t safely proceed

• the developer wasn’t prepared to rely on outdated 4,000 unit approvals

• and the outcome of the OLT could have forced redesigns or delays

Goldhar repeatedly said he would not use the old 4,000-unit permissions or jump ahead of the new rules while they were under dispute.

In July 2025, the OLT dismissed the appeals. That meant:

• the 1,700-unit cap stayed

• the Minett-specific rules stayed

• the environmental and shoreline protections stayed

• and the planning framework the developer had been working within was now settled

This cleared the way for the next step: site-specific approvals for Phase 1.

OPA 64 and Zoning Changes – What’s Being Asked For Now

Even with OPA 56 in place, the Clevelands House development in Minett needs a site-specific Official Plan Amendment and zoning changes for Phase 1.

That’s where OPA 64 and ZBA-22/23 come in.

Why the Developer Needs Exceptions

Many Muskoka and cottage country sites include wetlands + floodplain fingerprints. This is not unusual, but it requires clear justification.

What OPA 64 is asking for

OPA 56 currently takes a very strict approach to:

• wetlands

• floodplains

• shoreline setbacks (20 metres)

OPA 64 would allow some exceptions on the Clevelands House lands, such as:

• resort buildings, cabins, and sport courts in or near areas mapped as wetlands

• certain low-rise buildings within the 20m shoreline setback

• some development in floodplain areas where only boardwalks are normally allowed

In plain language: the Phase 1 layout overlaps parts of wetlands, floodplain, and shoreline buffer areas, so the developer is asking for controlled flexibility, backed by environmental studies and mitigation.

What the zoning by-law amendment would do

The zoning application:

• updates the old Resort Commercial and Environmental Protection zones

• creates site-specific zones for cabins, wellness centre, marina, and courts

• sets heights, setbacks, floor area, and permitted uses to match the master plan

• mirrors the same exceptions OPA 64 asks for

These applications are being reviewed at the November 25, 2025 Special Planning Committee meeting, where planners, the developer, and the public will all be heard before recommendations go to Council.

How the Clevelands House Development Could Affect Lake Rosseau Cottagers and Buyers

If you’re not as familiar with how Minett fits into the rest of the lake, our Lake Rosseau guide is a good place to start.

Marina and boat slips

• Slip capacity would rise to ~215.

• Key question: how many for islanders vs. resort guests vs. short-term docking?

• Goldhar has said he intends to support islander access, but the details matter.

Boat traffic and noise

More cabins, more amenities, and a bigger marina will likely mean:

• more boat traffic in Wallace Bay

• more noise and wake impacts at peak times

The long-term feel will depend heavily on how the marina is operated.

Dark sky and lighting

The developer has talked about:

• subdued, dark-sky-friendly lighting

• avoiding an overly bright “resort glow”

• keeping certain areas darker for stargazing

Details (fixtures, shielding, timing) will matter.

Jobs, services, and year-round activity

Potential benefits include:

• more local construction and resort jobs

• shoulder-season amenities

• space for wellness or professional services

Environmental Considerations (Water, Shoreline, Wetlands)

• Water treatment will be modernized, addressing long-standing concerns about wastewater impacts in Wallace Bay from the old resort era.

• OPA-64 proposes development within areas mapped as wetlands and shoreline buffers, which were tightly protected under OPA 56 — these environmental exceptions are likely to receive the most scrutiny.

• Changes to stormwater management and grading will influence runoff into Wallace Bay, especially during demolition and early construction.

• Tree removal for cabins, roads, and courts will alter parts of the forested shoreline, even though the long-term plan emphasizes a “cottage-in-the-woods” feel.

Property values and the “feel” of the area

Some buyers will see the project as a draw; others will worry about traffic, noise, and environmental pressure. How Phase 1 is built and run will shape perceptions for decades.

What’s Happened So Far – Key Dates and Milestones

• 2008 – OMB approves up to 4,000 units under original Minett plan

• 2017 – Original developer Ken Fowler passes away

• 2018–2021 – Township/MLA/Friends of Muskoka complete Minett review

• 2019 – Goldhar purchases the Clevelands House lands

• Dec 2021 – OPA 56 adopted (cap ~1,700 units)

• Oct 2022–2023 – New Official Plan approved → appeals filed

• Dec 9 & 11, 2023 – Developer open houses (in-person + Zoom)

• July 21, 2025 – OLT dismisses appeals

• Fall 2025 – OPA 64 and ZBA-22/23 applications filed

• Nov 25, 2025 – Special Planning Committee meeting

• Summer 2026 — earliest possible demolition (estimated)
  
  
• 2027–2028 — earliest possible opening of Phase 1 cabins (estimated)

The demolition and construction dates above are estimates only. Actual timing depends on District approval of OPA 64, the 20-day appeal period, site plan approval, permitting, and construction sequencing.

If you’d like to read exactly what was said during the December 2023 virtual open house, including the questions and answers, you can find the full transcript here.

Aerial view of the Clevelands House development site in Minett on Lake Rosseau, filmed by Cottage in Muskoka.

What Happens Next for the Clevelands House Development in Minett

We’ll be attending the Nov 25 meeting and will publish a full, plain-language summary by the next day.

Here’s the sequence to watch:

1. Planning Committee meeting

2. Staff report and developer presentation

3. Public comments

4. Committee recommendation → Council decision

5. District of Muskoka approval (for the OPA)

6. Appeal window

7. If approvals stand:

   • demolition

   • servicing and infrastructure

   • Phase 1 construction

The Clevelands House development in Minett will shape this corner of Lake Rosseau for decades. The policies are in place; the question now is how much flexibility the site will receive on wetlands, shoreline setbacks, and placement of buildings.

We’ll be following the November 25 meeting closely and will post a plain-language breakdown of what was decided, what changed, and what comes next.

If you want to keep up with what’s happening at Clevelands House and around Muskoka’s lakes:

• bookmark our blog

• follow @cottageinmuskoka on Instagram

• and watch for our recap of the Nov 25 meeting

Clevelands House Minett Development – FAQ

We’ve followed Minett planning files since the OPA 56 review, and we regularly track Township meetings, OLT decisions, and zoning applications so we can translate them into clear, plain-language updates for cottagers and buyers.

What will happen to the original hotel building at Clevelands House?

The historic Clevelands House hotel is not part of Phase 1 and does not yet have an approved plan. The building remains closed and secured. Demolition is expected, but it cannot move ahead until OPA 64, zoning, and all site-specific approvals are finalized. No application for a new hotel has been submitted.

Is Clevelands House being rebuilt?

Yes — but not in the form of a new large hotel. Phase 1 of the Clevelands House Minett development focuses on 48 rental cabins, a wellness and sports village, and a rebuilt marina. Any decision about a future hotel would come in a later phase and is not currently in front of Council.

When will Clevelands House reopen?

If OPA 64 and the zoning changes are approved in late 2025, the earliest possible demolition would be summer 2026. Construction of Phase 1 cabins and the wellness village would take 18–24 months.
Earliest realistic reopening: 2027–2028 (estimated).

What is OPA 64?

OPA 64 is the site-specific Official Plan Amendment requested by the developer to allow portions of Phase 1 to overlap areas mapped as wetlands, shoreline buffers, and parts of the floodplain. It does not increase the number of units; it requests flexibility on setbacks and placement of low-rise buildings, cabins, and courts based on environmental studies.

Why did development stop for so long?

The Township’s entire new Official Plan — including the Minett policies from OPA 56 — was under appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) from late 2022 to July 2025. While those appeals were active, major demolition and redevelopment at Clevelands House could not proceed without risking non-compliance. Once the OLT dismissed the appeals in July 2025, the planning framework was finally settled and Phase 1 could move forward.\

Are the new cabins private or rental?

All 48 cabins in Phase 1 are designed as rental units operated as part of the resort. They are not individual condo units for private ownership. The developer has indicated he does not plan to condo-ize Phase 1.

Is the marina staying public?

Public access is not guaranteed. The developer has said he intends to keep the marina and many amenities publicly accessible “as much as possible,” but this is not a formal policy and the operating model will be finalized later. Slip allocation between islanders, resort guests, and public docking is still unknown.

What is happening to the historic hotel?

The original Clevelands House hotel is structurally unsalvageable based on past engineering reports. While demolition is expected, no demolition permit has been issued and no replacement building has been approved. Decisions about a new hotel — if any — will come in a future phase.

Will there be a new restaurant?

Phase 1 includes space for new restaurant and retail uses in the wellness village and marina area. Specific tenants, branding, and operating plans have not been announced. A signature dining option is likely, but not confirmed.

What’s happening to The Rock Golf Course?

The Rock remains part of the broader Clevelands House lands owned by the developer, but it is not included in Phase 1. No redevelopment application has been submitted for the golf course lands. Any future changes would require separate planning approvals.

How many cabins are being built?

Phase 1 includes 48 rental cabins. No additional cabins or hotel units are proposed in this phase. Future phases may introduce more units, but no details have been submitted.