Reflections from Crumbly Acres: 🏡 Perth Golf Course

Lots of activity:

Wiggle room? Caivan open to discussion on golf course home development

Posted March 5th, 2024

Ramsay hart Letter to the Editor Feb. 2024

"In reality, the OLT has tended — rather overwhelmingly — to be quite friendly to developers. The Hamilton Spectator found in September 2022 that 97% of decisions the OLT made that year were in the prospective builder’s favour."

Case Information on OLT website:

PDF from Dec. 2023

DEC. 2023 There have been various groups created to lobby against this developer.

There was a hearing on Dec. 14th, by OLT. There will be a second case management meeting on Feb. 12th. A community group will be able to be part of the hearing.

A 4-week hearing was scheduled for Mon., Aug. 19 - Sept. 13.

The simple fact is, there is only one road in and out, and it is surrounded by wetland. You can see what happens when there is a fire on these small, crescent streets. This is what happened in Barrhaven, in Ottawa.

Nov. UPDATE: There was a protest in Perth, against the development. Caivan has created a website to share their vision. Protestors have filmed a video.

This is what parking is like in these new builds.

Oct. UPDATE: there is a hearing Dec. 14th about the case.

There have been several local articles about this story. I've been following it. We don't live in the town (pop. 6469, in 2021), we live in a different rural township, BTW. The golf club is a small, very old course. I spent hours on the golf course yesterday <= this was 2014 when I took photos of the golf tournament fundraiser. I did this for 2013, as well: Happy times on the golf course! They state that they are the oldest permanent golf course in Canada (since 1890).

Caivan has invested more than $12 million in this proposed development. Caivan has been appearing before Perth Council seeking the proper permissions. You can see the 18 holes of the golf course, with the town of Perth where the red pin sits. The golf course will lose some land, and go to a 9-hole course. The golf course didn't do well during COVID.

The golf course sits on the edge of a wetland.

They are talking about doing a two-lane redo of the bridge on Peter St., with a walking path, or a new bridge crossing the Tay River (see below). When you think of 2000 - 3000 people living here, and only one exit road, that would be tricky. In an opinion piece, Ramsey Hart explained that Perth is like the rest of the province, the town is desperate for affordable housing, especially for the vulnerable. He is the ED for The Table, our local food bank. I agree with him. But I am not a Perth resident, and I don't really have a say. I am interested in the process.

This is the Peter St. bridge leading to the golf course.
It is the only access point.

I am curious about infrastructure. The Perth town plan states its goal:

"Policy 1.2.1 To provide for a compact and energy efficient land use pattern that optimizes the use of available infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, waste disposal) and public service facilities (schools, hospitals, recreation and cultural facilities, fire and police) and which utilizes densities and development standards which are cost effective."

The proposal [WSP has produced a proposal report]:

"Section 8.1.4.2 – Development Concept states that: ... “The New Residential Area is anticipated to meet the mid to long-term growth and settlement needs of the Town... Development may only proceed where the necessary urban infrastructure can be provided and adequate capacity is available, notably municipal (piped) water and sanitary sewer. "

On p. 24, they write about Phase 1, which includes discharging treated stormwater into Grants Creek Provincially Significant Wetland. "An Integrated Hydrological Impact Assessment will be completed to determine how the wetland may be altered by the discharge of treated stormwater into it. " The Environment Ministry, RVCA, and Department of Fisheries and Oceans, will monitor it.

I wonder if there are reports of spring flooding? The golf course is on the edge of Perth, RVCA provides data on watersheds.

This area, the golf course (upper right), is part of Grant's Creek watershed.

Grant's Creek watershed

This RVCA subwatershed report falls outside the town boundary, but the Tay River (35 km) connects theses two watershed areas.

Tay River subwatershed

Perth is contemplating a $300,000 upgrade to the water tower. Probably a good idea considering these circumstances. That has to be done in June or September, the shoulder seasons as the town water has to shut down.

"A second water tower was discussed last year by council. Machan said this will be required when a large residential or commercial development takes place that requires additional flow."

Perth Townhall Meeting re: Caivan development, planner Joanna Bowes.

Timeline to make a decision, developer can appeal to OLT.
Have to have town hall meeting to discuss it, and get feedback.
Public meeting, required.
Doesn't conform to the Provincial Planning Act, Lanark County Sustainable Official Plan, or Town of Perth Official plan.
Impermeable surface in plan from 60% to not apply to them.
5% parkland

Glad to hear, for homeless families, that if they have a $700,000 dollars they can get a home.

ARTICLES:

Perth COW checks out planned housing development near golf course – Apr. 6/2022
Wed., April 13, 2022 – development on part of golf course lands. "There could be as many as 125 - 300 units."
WSP has produced a report on the potential development (PDF) – Apr. 14/2022
"Perth council still has traffic concerns regarding potential golf course housing development" Brian Turner reports on this meeting, radio report. 📻 – Mar. 8/2023 He says they expect 2 - 3,000 residents.
‘Traffic nightmare’: Perth council seeks secondary access point for 950-home Caivan subdivision development' – Mar. 8/2023
This opinion piece by Ramsey Hart points out that Perth is desperate for affordable housing. This development does not address this issue. – March 8/2023.
Another opinion piece by Laurie Weir points out the lack of time devoted at one public meeting to allowing Caivan to pitch their case and answer questions. “provincial (regulations) don’t allow any development charges on affordable housing. Bill 23 lowered the requirement for affordable housing in any new development from 25 per cent to 5 per cent.”– March 14th.
Caivan has appealed to Ontario Land Tribunal Sept. 23, 2023.