Prince Edward County Council has given the green light to a zoning application for an event venue in Cherry Valley, overturning an earlier recommendation that it be rejected.
At Tuesday’s council session, members voted in favour of rezoning the property located at County Road 18 and Sandy Lane.
Just last week, the Planning and Development Committee had urged Council to deny the application following strong community opposition. Nearby residents argued the project would bring disruptive levels of noise.
Council also heard from Mark Peterson, legal counsel for the property owners. Peterson criticized the committee’s earlier recommendation, noting municipal staff had initially supported approval. He also made clear that the owners were prepared to challenge a denial at the Ontario Land Tribunal.
During debate, Councillor Phil St-Jean introduced an amendment requiring the site plan to incorporate all measures outlined in a prior noise study.
The rezoning was approved with a vote of 6-5.
In favour of the amendment were Councillor St-Jean, Councillor Grosso, Councillor MacNaughton, Councillor Hirsch, Councillor Braney, and Councillor Harrison.
Opposed to the amendment were Councillor Branderhorst, Councillor Maynard, Councillor Nieman, Councillor Engelsdorfer, and Mayor Ferguson.
Councillor Roberts, Councillor Prinzen, and Councillor Pennell were not present for today’s meeting.
(HAILEY MACDONALD)
