in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
February 03, 2022
BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — The Municipality of Grey Highlands Council met on February 2 and in a recorded vote, unanimously voted in favour of a bylaw to authorize the sale of the two parcels of municipally-owned land in the Beaver Valley to Westway Capital.
During the open forum, at the beginning of the meeting where constituents can speak regarding items on the agenda, 30 people spoke about the municipally owned property. Many were against the sale. All open forum speakers were limited to one minute to speak, cut down from the three minutes of time normally allowed. Many voiced their displeasure at having only one minute to speak.
A few Open Forum speakers spoke about development and were in favour of development but did not like the process that took place.
Watch video of public forum
In the offer document from Westway Group, a Public Engagement Strategy and a Preliminary Draft Plan Review, where to be submitted to council for consideration. Both were stricken from the offer. Westway's offer was in trust for a company to be formed. We have reached out to the Municipality of Grey Highlands CAO Karen Govan, for more information. At time of publication, we have had no response.
A media release issued on Feb 3, says in part:
During the due diligence period, representatives of Council (including Mayor McQueen and Councillors Allwood and Little) met regularly with representatives of Westway Capital to reiterate the priorities of Council and the community regarding development of these significant lands, and to impress upon Westway the importance of aligning their plans with the community vision for the entire Beaver Valley corridor.
Westway has confirmed to the Municipality that they have engaged best-in-class consultants, including The Planning Partnership, who have worked with the Municipality of Grey Highlands, and who understand the impact and sensitivity of the lands. Westway has reaffirmed their commitment to engage with the community to share their vision and to collaboratively create something special that reflects the beauty and values that are the very essence of the Beaver Valley.
Speaking on behalf of Council, Mayor Paul McQueen stated, “We are excited and confident about Westway Capital’s commitment to Grey Highlands and these very special lands. The sale will provide the ability to reinvest the proceeds for the direct benefit of all residents across the entire 882 kilometres of the Municipality. Over the past several months Westway has worked diligently to ensure that their plans align with the priorities we have identified, and they have committed to a vision that will benefit the community and support a strong legacy for residents of Grey Highlands and the Province of Ontario for generations.”
Councillors comments before voting were about taking their jobs seriously, wanting to do the best job they can, feeling optimistic and excited. It is a tough job. There will be public engagement.
One councillor said that he felt he was elected to speak for residents and make decisions on what he thinks is best for Grey Highlands.
Outside the municipal offices in Markdale, Jeanette Parry led a hastily-formed protest just prior to the February 2 Council meeting. The group is opposed to the sale of former Talisman Resort lands to Westway.
"There is nothing in the contract to hold Westway to anything," said Parry, a member of the Friends of Beaver Valley (FOBV) and Protect Talisman Lands Association. She claimed that Councillors have only told her that they “hope that Westway will do the right thing" with regards to future development. "That to me, was blowing my mind!" She added.
In addition to Jeanette Parry's concerns expressed above, she noted that there was not any community engagement and forum whatsoever on the approved sale. "Complete sham!" and "Crooked" were other comments heard from the crowd.
The FOBV and Protect Talisman organizations have been lobbying the municipality to accept an alternate offer from the Escarpment Biosphere Conservancy (EBC).
Watch video of vote
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