Understanding the Base31 Community Association

As Base31 continues to grow and evolve, we believe it is important to keep the broader community informed and provide clear, accessible information about the Community Association and its role in Base31’s long-term development. The following information explains why the Community Association was created, how it will operate and what it means for Base31 and the broader Prince Edward County community.

Base31 is being developed as a large, mixed-use community that will evolve over several decades and include residential neighbourhoods, businesses, cultural and recreational spaces, infrastructure, parks and shared amenities. As we build out Base31, we want to create a real sense of cohesiveness among its many parts; the Community Association will lead this effort and be integral to its success.

Base31 refers to the entire 750-acre site, including The District, Base Living and the roads, parks, trails and other spaces that connect them. The District is Base31’s 70-acre cultural and historic district, while Base Living refers to the residential neighbourhoods that will be developed as a series of villages over time. A network of parks and trails will connect these Base Living neighbourhoods with The District and the broader Base31 site.

As Base31 grows over the coming decades, a long-term governance and administrative structure is needed to support the operation, maintenance and stewardship of The District’s private infrastructure and the shared spaces and amenities that serve those who live, work and operate businesses within Base Living and The District. The Base31 Community Association provides that structure.

What is the Base31 Community Association?

The Base31 Community Association is a long-term governance structure through which property owners within Base31 contribute to the operation, maintenance and stewardship of The District’s private infrastructure and the shared spaces and amenities within The District and Base Living as the community grows and evolves over time.

Why does Base31 need a Community Association?

Base31 is being developed as a large and complex mixed-use community that will include residential neighbourhoods, businesses, cultural and recreational spaces, infrastructure, parks and shared amenities, developed over several decades. The Base31 Community Association includes both The District (largely commercial) and Base Living (largely residential). The Community Association will be the common link amongst all these components of Base31 and will ensure they truly function as a community.

The private infrastructure supported by the Community Association governance model is limited to private roads and sanitary, stormwater and water services only within The District. These are required by the municipality to be privately owned and maintained.

Public infrastructure supporting the new residential neighbourhoods within Base Living, including roads, sewers and stormwater management infrastructure, will be municipally owned and maintained and is outside the scope of the Community Association.

All parks, trails and bike paths in future development phases of Base31 will be publicly owned and accessible, as will municipally owned roads. The Community Association will support the development and maintenance of public parks and other shared spaces, helping to provide an enhanced level of care and stewardship while they remain publicly owned and accessible. The District, its amenities, businesses and events will likewise remain open to public visitation and use.

Through this governance structure, members of the Community Association within the Base31 area help contribute to its long-term sustainability and stewardship.

Who does the Community Association apply to?

The Community Association applies to owners of land designated as Base31. Membership is connected to the property, so when a Base31 property is sold, the new owner becomes a member.

The Association may also grant membership, in accordance with its bylaws, to certain other eligible individuals or organizations connected to Base31, including businesses and tenants.

Will people outside of Base31 have to join or pay fees?

No. Property owners outside the Base31 lands cannot be required to join the Community Association or pay Community Association fees.

The provincial legislation includes a process through which a property owner outside the Base31 lands could voluntarily apply to have their property designated as Base31 land. However, the Community Association cannot unilaterally expand its boundaries or require neighbouring property owners or other Prince Edward County residents to join.

Will Base31 become a gated or private community?

No. The Community Association was created to support the long-term maintenance and stewardship of Base31, not to close it off from the broader community.

All municipally owned parks, roads, trails and bike lanes within Base31 will remain fully accessible to the public. The District, its businesses, amenities and events will likewise remain open to public visitation and use.

The Community Association will help support the shared spaces and amenities that make Base31 a place for residents, businesses, visitors and the broader Prince Edward County community.

Why was provincial legislation required?

Existing legislative frameworks are not designed to address a development of Base31’s scale and long-term development timeline. While the Base31 Master Plan establishes the framework for the site, it does not define all of the details of future villages, amenities and shared facilities in advance. Base31 requires the flexibility of the provincial legislation to develop in phases and respond to community and market needs over time.

The Base31 Community Association Act has been modelled on similar legislation employed at Blue Mountain in Collingwood and Friday Harbour in Innisfil.

The Act gives the Community Association the authority and responsibilities needed to manage shared assets and services, establish membership and fees, maintain appropriate reserve funds, and create a structure that can continue as Base31 is developed and home and business owners are introduced over time.

Does the Community Association change the Municipality of Prince Edward County’s authority over Base31?

No. Base31 remains part of Prince Edward County and fully subject to municipal authority.

The Base31 Community Association does not replace or circumvent the County’s planning authority, municipal bylaws or approval processes. The Community Association’s bylaws cannot override Prince Edward County bylaws, registered municipal agreements or provincial planning legislation.

What are Association fees used for?

Community Association fees provide a dedicated source of funding to support the long-term operation, maintenance and stewardship of the Base31 community.

Depending on the location and type of property, fees may support the maintenance and care of shared infrastructure and community facilities, as well as parks and parkettes, trails and walkways, landscaped and streetscaped areas, public spaces and recreational amenities. They will also support landscaping, beautification and seasonal activities, events and programming that contribute to an active and vibrant community.

The Association will also maintain reserve funds to support major repairs and the future replacement of The District infrastructure, and other facilities and amenities for which it is responsible.

How will the Community Association be governed over time?

It will be governed by a Board of Directors in accordance with the requirements established by the Base31 Community Association Act, the Ontario Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (ONCA) and the Association’s bylaws.

How can community members learn more or ask questions?

We will continue to share information about the Base31 Community Association and its role in Base31’s long-term development on the Base31 website.

If you have questions or would like to learn more, please contact us at info@base31.ca.