Several of Prince Edward County residents made their opinions very clear on a proposed recreational spa at Wednesday night’s Planning Committee meeting.
There were 36 people signed up to make public comments on matters concerning the planning committee. Of those 36, 23 of them were concerning the spa resort proposal.
Nineteen of them were in opposition.
The Irth Landscape Hotel and Spa is a proposed four season spa/resort with a 12-unit hotel, 12 “off-grid” cabins, a spa, dining space, a lounge, nature trails, a boardwalk, an access road and parking space. The proposal also includes a private water and septic system.
The amenities and attractions listed in the staff report to the planning committee include holistic, nature-based massage treatment, outdoor hot and cold pools, a sauna and steam room, yoga and a variety of outdoor experiences.
The proposal is for official plan and zoning by-law amendments that would allow for the spa to be constructed on a 32.07 hectare land parcel in North Marysburgh. The land is 10 kilometres from the hamlet of Waupoos and has 475 metres of frontage along County Road 8.
There is significant green space close by. There is an abundance of woodland around the subject lands and Lost Lake Swamp bisects the land.
Many of the public commenters expressed concerns over the proximity to both the woodlands and the swamp, and questioned whether or not it was consistent with the vision for the county and the protection of green spaces.
The applicant’s representatives maintained that the plans, which have been worked on since as early as 2018 and which have been scaled down multiple times due to public feedback, would not only conform to the 2006 official plan requirements, but also the newly adopted 2021 official plan.
Under the new official plan, it was agreed that any applicants who have submitted applications before July 0f 2021 would do so under the parameters laid out by the 2006 official plan. The new official plan still needs approval from the province.
Other commenters were concerned about the area’s ability to handle that much traffic and about subsequent carbon emissions due to the tourism influx.
After multiple hours of mostly opposing deputants, councillors had their chance to consider the item. The item was not up for approval or denial but some councillors felt that, after the public comments, they were left with more questions than answers.
Councillor John Hirsch said that the matter would need more analysis by staff.
Audio Player“Normally with the type of motion we have before us for these public planning sessions, staff take the information provided, go back, and provide a recommendation for or against a project which would come to us at a later meeting. I would note for council and for the public that the motion we’re approving this evening instead says it requires the completion of a planning analysis by staff. That’s different than the usual position. I think that’s for good reason because I really believe there are a number of questions that need to be resolved before staff can legitimately come to a recommendation.”
He cited the concerns about water stability and suitability of the well testing, the Lost Lake Swamp, an area nearby frequented by turtles and the slope study as some of the reasons more analysis is needed before a decision can be made.
The Planning Committee voted unanimously to receive the information and to have staff complete the planning analysis to bring the matter back to council at a later date.
