Councillor Grosso’s Barn

I wanted to bring something to your attention that I believe warrants a closer look, particularly with Ward 4 Councillor Sam Grosso seeking re-election.

For almost four years, Mr. Grosso has been seeking to operate an event venue, known as “Sam’s Place,” from his barn at 3038 County Road 3. What makes this more than a routine planning dispute is the apparent pattern: activities proceed or are advertised first, concerns are raised afterward, and the regulatory process is tested rather than completed before the proposed use moves forward.

Mr. Grosso held ticketed concerts at the property before submitting the zoning amendment required to permit the event-venue use. In June 2023, a notice under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act was posted at the property prohibiting assembly occupancy of the barn until the necessary zoning and building/change-of-use approvals had been obtained.

The subsequent zoning application became extraordinarily controversial. The Planning Committee meeting was one of the longest in recent history, with residents raising concerns about noise, traffic, safety, enforcement, and whether the rules governing the venue would actually be followed.

Those concerns were not hypothetical. Residents pointed to what had already occurred at the property and questioned whether Mr. Grosso would continue attempting to operate ahead of the required approvals or break those rules once in place.

Council nevertheless approved the zoning amendment in January 2025. During that process, several councillors spoke publicly about Mr. Grosso’s integrity and standing in the community. At the same time, many of the substantive concerns raised by residents were deferred to the site plan process. In effect, the community was asked to trust that their serious concerns would be addressed through the next regulatory stage.

What is happening now makes that history particularly relevant.

According to information I received from the County’s Planning Department, as of early September a site plan application had still not been submitted. Yet a building permit has apparently been issued and construction is underway on what appears to be a second-storey exit and exterior staircase connected to the barn.

Meanwhile, Sam’s Place is advertising and selling tickets for a concert scheduled for September 19. This follows a May 3 concert for which tickets were also sold for Sam’s Place. That event was moved elsewhere after concerns about the approvals were brought to the attention of County staff and the Mayor.

At some point, the question becomes larger than whether one particular concert ultimately goes ahead.

For years, Mr. Grosso has presented himself publicly as a community-minded businessman and councillor. Council itself relied heavily on his character and integrity when discussing a controversial application affecting his own property. Against that backdrop, there is a legitimate public-interest question about whether his actions demonstrate a willingness to push ahead until someone objects, rather than ensuring he has met the regulatory requirements that apply to other County residents and businesses — never mind councillors.     

If residents were told that their concerns would be protected through site plan control, how is construction associated with the proposed venue proceeding when the site plan application apparently has not been submitted? And why is another ticketed public event being marketed while questions remain about site plan, building, change-of-use, occupancy and fire approvals?

I have written to the Fire Chief and Director of Development Services asking them to formally clarify what has and has not been approved, what the current building permit actually authorizes, and whether the barn can legally be used for the September 19 event.

These queries are about accountability: whether a sitting councillor seeking re-election is complying with the same planning, building and safety processes expected of everyone else — and whether County staff are adequately enforcing those requirements when the person involved is one of its own elected officials or, more concerning, their buddy.  

Jenn Sinclair, Prince Edward County

Ed Note: the concert slated for Sam’s Place September 19 has been moved to the County Emporium.

Council Decision 

I have only one question for those councillors who voted against allowing staff to continue to develop a financial strategy for a regional water treatment plant (plan 2B). This plan was supported by this council as the best way forward.  Failing to plan is indeed, planning to fail. My question to you is:  What is YOUR plan? I really want to know.  

Penny Morris, Picton