\n“Across the 500-acre property, Maplestone Ranch and Retreat offers a heated saltwater pool with a waterslide, hot tub, dry sauna, cold plunge, outdoor showers, cold waterfall shower, a shop and several relaxation areas, including a firepit and meditation cave. The spa also has a field and a 33-foot geodesic dome for classes and events. Hellyer said they are also working to open two more features: a large, Finnish sauna and a wood-fired hot pool.<\/em>“<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n….. And this is all long before the “tourist” and the 6 overnight cabins zoning application was filed ……<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nDavid Le Gard opposed the Tourist Retreat\/Spa rezoning in a document that literally has his name on every page. It is an extensive document spelling out the many reasons this should have a commercial designation and is not suitable for an RU designation. In the document and in the presentation it was clearly stated he believes this to be a commercial operation that was not permitted under the applicable planning framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NB: This document I refer to is publicly available through Lanark Highlands, however despite it having been digitized the digital copy is not available via the website.<\/em><\/strong> Please contact the Lanark Highlands Clerk to arrange viewing.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nI believe there are important questions to ask both candidates as it appears that the final vote may be pushed until after<\/strong> this election<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Given their prior and current involvement would they be impartial<\/em><\/strong>? And I mean not just about this rezoning application but to any similar ones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If either is elected would he try to create bylaws that would make it easier or harder to rezone (depending on which one is elected), or would they leave the bylaws as is?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What safeguards should apply<\/strong> if either candidate is elected while the matter in which they have already participated or expressed a position comes before Council?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Would they be willing to distance themselves<\/em><\/strong> from topic at council and not vote as the Ontario Municipal Conflict of Interest Act specifies? <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ontario’s Municipal Conflict of Interest Act<\/strong> deals specifically with direct or indirect pecuniary interests<\/strong>. Where a member has such an interest, the Act requires disclosure and prohibits participation, voting, and attempts to influence the matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What would I do?<\/em><\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nA balanced approach<\/strong>. I support responsible development. I support businesses that create jobs, attract visitors and contribute to our local economy. But I do not believe we should achieve economic growth by allowing commercial activities to develop first and address zoning and planning questions afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBased on the information presented to Council on August 11, I would vote NO<\/strong> on this application as it has been presented.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThat does not<\/strong> mean I am opposed to development. It means I believe development should be properly planned, properly zoned and considered openly from the outset.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWe can grow Lanark Highlands without abandoning the planning principles that protect residents and our rural character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a candidate and resident of Ward 3, I believe residents deserve a councillor who will approach these decisions with an open mind, follow the planning process, listen to residents and put the long-term interests of the community ahead of individual interests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you think that two candidates who registered on the last day, are neighbours and involved in this rezoning dispute are solely interested in caring for voters?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nI would be honoured to earn your vote<\/strong> and, if elected, to cast my vote based on the facts, the planning framework and the interests of the people of Ward 3.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Right now there is a very interesting and likely consequential rezoning application being heard. On August 11, 2026 Council heard an application to amend the official plan on a 480 acre Rural (RU) property. The proposed change will rezone a 480 acre RU to an RU-x. From the link provided: The proposed Zoning By-Law Amendment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-164","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=164"}],"version-history":[{"count":19,"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":318,"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/164\/revisions\/318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/barryward3.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}