First a golf course, now an event centre: Neighbours battling Windsor developer again

Harrow is fighting back against developers who want to make an event centre nearby. CTV Windsor’s Michelle Maluske has more.

First it was a golf course, now it’s an event centre. Neighbours are now fighting a Windsor developer… Again.

Hearn Hunting and Fishing Lodge wants a temporary zoning amendment to allow for a commercial event centre.

It would be located at 6655 Concession six in Essex County: The exact same location as a proposed golf course in the early 2000s, known as Marshfield Woods.

Back then, the Hearn Group started to develop a golf course on their property.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), environmentalists, and neighbours all fought back and won, although it took nearly four years and rulings from the Ontario Municipal Board and Ontario Court of Justice.

“That’s not really relevant to the decision the town has to make (now),” Hearn lawyer Brian Chillman told CTV News Friday in a phone interview.

He, and Steven Hearn, told CTV News their proposal today is to rezone 0.33 hectares out of the 26.3 hectares currently zoned agricultural.

Hearn explained it’s only for the concrete footing of their large white tent, “about a quarter of the size of a soccer field”.

It’s also on the opposite side of the property designated as a wetland.

Their proposal is to be rezoned for six months, from May to October, to host up to 10 “boutique” events with a maximum guest list of 200 people, even though their tent has a capacity for 380 people.

Chillman said they have been working “with the town” on a resolution to their commercial business opportunity for more than a year.

“This is not a case of the Hearn’s developing something and asking for permission later,” Chillman said.

When they started hosting events – Chillman didn’t say when – the Hearns “believed” it qualified as an ‘on farm diversified use’, as spelled out by the Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.

Neighbours complained about noise and the Hearns were fined by the town, even though at the time, according to Chillman, Essex didn’t have a noise bylaw.

Now that the town is working towards a noise bylaw, Hearn Lodge is working with the town to come into compliance.

Chillman said each of the reports commissioned by Hearn on planning, noise and biology were “peer reviewed” by Essex officials who in turn, accepted them without complaint.

During a meeting on July 21, a town presentation indicated administration approved of the zoning amendment and no outside agency – including ERCA – disputed the proposal.

It’s only neighbours – and some of the former Friends of Marshfield Woods – who oppose the zoning amendment.

Hearn and Chillman want to work with the town and the neighbours to craft a zoning amendment that works for everyone.

Essex Town Council will consider the proposal at their next meeting on Aug. 11.