Lakecroft Events Resort wants to develop motel accommodations and offer glamping, as well as continue to operate a wedding venue on a 15 acre site in Cherry Valley, formerly Cherry Lane Campground and Cottages.

The developer wants to reduce the footprint of the operation from 40 tent, trailer and cottage accommodations to 9 glamping tents, five motel suites, and one tourist cottage.

The site is currently designated Hamlet and Environmental Protection under the Official Plan.

Lakecroft seeks an Official Plan Amendment to redesignate part of the property to “Hamlet with Special Provisions” to permit an event venue, while the EP lands will remain undeveloped. It is also seeks to rezone the property from “Trailer and Tent” to “Tourist Commercial.”

A new event building with a maximum capacity of 100 people would host weddings and corporate retreats. The venue has already hosted weddings for the past few summers — and neighbours are concerned about the unabated noise of outdoor wedding celebrations over the past few summers.

“The trailer park was dead quiet. We didn’t hear a peep out of them,” said Dr. Steven Blanchard, who has lived nearby for 26 years.

“We strongly feel however that giving the okay for an event venue to operate in the middle of an almost entirely residential village is completely inappropriate.”

Dr. Blanchard added that the noise was a detriment to the quality of his sleep before early hospital shifts. 

“Last summer was terrible,” said Kathleen White, another neighbour. “It’s really not a place for an event venue. The camping, the glamping—all of that’s fine.”

Councillor Sam Branderhorst recommended that, based on complaints, the applicant should not be permitted to host events. 

“This is not the first time I’ve heard about the sound being a problem,” she said. “It’s been a problem for the last two years.”

Subdivision Sprawl 

A proposal for a low density new neighbourhood on County Road 28 in Rossmore also faced criticism from councillors and residents.

The draft plan proposes 11 new residences on the 12 acre site, a net density of about one unit an acre. Many comments noted that the application, begun in 2019, seemed out of date and out of step five years later.

“Has the client considered smaller lots, smaller homes, at a more affordable and attainable value?” asked Councillor Phil St-Jean. “Particularly in an area like Rossmore that is so close to regional employment opportunities for our County residents?” 

“The real estate landscape has changed since those numbers were prepared,” said Planning Consultant Shawn Legere. “The zoning bylaw dictated the size of the lots. They are ‘Hamlet Residential’ lots. They have to be this big because of the services that are there.”

Councillor Branderhorst asked if density could be added in the form of an in-law suite or garage unit. Mr. Legere confirmed that two dwelling units are permitted, allowing for some “gentle density.” 

Mr. Leger noted that this type of development is consistent with Ford’s Provincial Planning Statement because it creates growth within an urban service area, but residents were not convinced that urban sprawl is what the County most needs.

“Subdivisions do not house people efficiently. They take up too much land and too many resources,” said resident Dee Hazell. 

“Sprawl wastes our time and money by making many of us car dependent,” she noted. “There are more creative ways to both house people and respond to the climate crisis.”

Duarte Da Silva, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, lives directly south of the proposed subdivision. 

“I’m certainly all for housing in the County,” he said, adding, “we need to make it more affordable for people to live and work in the County, but density has to be right. The location has to be right and we have to consider what kind of housing we are offering.”

Following these Statutory Public Meetings, both developments will come before the planning committee for decision at a later date. 

Councillor Braney commended the audience participation at the meeting, noting “you always gain some really practical knowledge from people that actually live around these projects, so thank you.”