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“If the municipality continues to not support the application, my client will continue to farm the lands in perpetuity.”
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Brown also questioned whether the site was ready for commercial development, saying additional road improvements, access approvals and infrastructure would still be required before businesses could locate there.
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The proposal drew mixed reactions around the council table.
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“I sort of have an uneasy feeling in my stomach,” said Coun. Heather Latam of Brown’s presentation to council. “It felt a little bit threatening and manipulative almost.
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“I think the way the report was just given to us, it felt very one-way, and I feel like we’re travelling down parallel streets instead of together here.”
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Coun. Anthony Abraham questioned whether preserving the land for future commercial development was the best use of the property, noting the province’s $41-million investment in Leamington’s wastewater services was intended, in part, to support continued growth of the greenhouse sector.
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Abraham also argued greenhouse expansion generates additional investment throughout the local economy.
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“I struggle with this one,” he said. “The greenhouse sector is what’s going to drive the light industrial and commercial that you’re looking for.”
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Coun. Paul Tiessen said the application highlights the challenges that arise when urban and rural uses meet.
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He noted the property, which was previously designated agricultural in 1987, has been designated for commercial use since 2008, meaning the debate was not about preserving farmland.
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Greenhouses can be built on a variety of soil types, he said, while the municipality has a limited supply of commercial lands.
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With the new infrastructure expected to open more development opportunities in the area, Tiessen said he felt preserving the site for future commercial use “makes good planning sense.”
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Mayor Hilda MacDonald said Leamington has spent years pursuing servicing for employment lands and should preserve the community’s “best spot that’s left” for a future business park.
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“We have to have balance,” MacDonald said. “We can’t just rely on the ag (agricultural) sector. We need to have those supportive industries.”
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“If we allow this to go back to ag, we’re taking a step backwards rather than a step forward,” MacDonald added.
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Council’s decision does not prevent the applicant from submitting another application in the future.
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