Part 2: Rural Severances Split Council While Base31 Extension Passes Unanimously - 04/16/2025
- PECConnect
- Apr 16, 2025
- 4 min read
The April 16, 2025 Planning and Development Committee meeting moved from information-gathering into decision-making as councillors debated consent applications, zoning amendments, and a high-profile temporary use extension. While the statutory public meeting portion concluded without votes, the second half of the evening revealed clear divisions on how the County should manage rural development, water servicing risks, and long-term planning certainty.
Once the committee entered the items-for-consideration section, Councillor Kate MacNaughton, as chair, shifted the tone from procedural explanation to formal decision-making. Each item was brought forward with a motion, followed by questions to staff or applicants, and then a recorded or voice vote depending on the level of contention.
View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.
Straightforward Consent and Rezoning Approval
The first decision involved a consent and rezoning application in Hallowell Ward, where planning consultant Brendan O’Connor stated plainly that the applicant agreed with all staff-recommended conditions. With no objections raised and no public comments opposing the application, councillors moved quickly. The committee voted to approve both the consent and zoning bylaw amendment exactly as recommended by staff. The lack of debate reflected a file that raised no broader policy or infrastructure concerns for the surrounding area.
A far more contentious discussion followed on the Athol Ward severance applications, where two rural residential lots were proposed. The debate centred on water quality, sodium levels, well recovery rates, and the scope of municipal responsibility. Planning agent Mark Pedersen argued forcefully that the applicant had already spent significant money on hydrogeological studies and peer reviews, and that staff were asking for additional technical assurances beyond what planning approvals should require. He emphasized that water treatment methods such as reverse osmosis were commonplace in rural County and that many existing homes operate under similar conditions.
Staff planner Emily Overholt countered that provincial policy requires municipalities to ensure lots can be sustainably serviced and that the committee could not ignore water quality issues simply by registering warnings on title. Overholt explained that peer reviewers had raised legitimate concerns and that the recommended condition was meant to protect future residents and the municipality, not create unnecessary barriers.
Councillors split sharply. Phil St-Jean (Picton) questioned whether guidelines like D-5-5 were being treated as mandatory when they are technically advisory. Roy Pennell (Ameliasburgh) supported a buyer-beware approach, arguing that registering sodium and quantity concerns on title would sufficiently inform future owners. Councillor Janice Maynard (Ameliasburgh) raised concerns about fairness and proportionality, noting that many rural residents live with similar water issues.
An amendment was ultimately introduced to remove the requirement for further hydrogeological addendum studies and instead strengthen disclosure language on title regarding sodium levels and potential servicing limitations. That amendment passed on a 7–6 recorded vote, illustrating how evenly divided council was on the issue. With the amendment adopted, the main motion to approve the severances and rezoning also passed. For Athol Ward residents, the decision signals a council willing to approve rural severances while placing greater emphasis on disclosure rather than upfront technical certainty.
Base31: Temporary Use Extension and Interim Servicing Agreement
The final and most visible decision of the night concerned Base31, where the committee considered a one-year extension of a temporary use zoning bylaw and interim servicing agreement. Representatives Chris Marchese and Asaf Weiss described ongoing investment, employment, public programming, and economic spinoffs tied to the site. They stressed that the extension did not introduce new uses, but simply maintained existing permissions while awaiting a provincially initiated Minister’s Zoning Order.
Public comments earlier in the evening had raised concerns about prolonged temporary permissions, deferred connection charges, and transparency. Those questions resurfaced during committee debate. Roy Pennell (Ameliasburgh) expressed unease about repeated extensions, warning against “planning by extension” without long-term certainty. Staff responded that provincial delays, including a recent election and ministerial changes, were the primary reason permanent zoning had not yet been resolved.
Several councillors spoke in strong support. Mayor Steve Ferguson highlighted job creation, visitor spending, and regional economic benefits. Harrison requested a recorded vote, underscoring the significance of the decision. Staff clarified that water and wastewater connection charges would be assessed when servicing allocations become permanent, based on whatever bylaws are in force at that time.
The vote to extend the temporary use bylaw and amend the interim servicing agreement passed unanimously on a recorded vote. For residents near Base31 and across the county, the decision confirms council’s continued support for the project’s operations and programming, while postponing final decisions on servicing charges and permanent zoning. The meeting closed with a brief discussion on future work related to farm severances, with staff indicating that a broader review of policies in comparable counties was underway and expected to return in the fall. The committee then adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
What This Means for Residents
For residents in Hallowell, the decision means a straightforward approval with no new conditions or controversy. In Athol Ward, the split vote signals that council is willing to allow rural severances with known water risks as long as those risks are clearly disclosed to future owners.
For residents near Base31 and across the county, council reaffirmed its support for the site’s operations, jobs, and events while delaying permanent zoning and servicing decisions until provincial steps are resolved.
Overall, the meeting showed a council balancing growth, caution, and practicality differently depending on where in the County the issue lands.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:04:52 Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.
Comments