Perth residents wary of 940-home golf course development
Population would grow by more than one-third if subdivision goes ahead
A proposed subdivision that would grow an eastern Ontario town's population by more than one-third by building hundreds of homes on one of Canada's oldest golf courses is getting a lukewarm reception from some locals.
The proposal by developer Caivan in Perth, Ont., includes 640 detached homes, 299 townhomes, 18 roads, a network of multi-use paths, three parks and stormwater ponds. It is expected to house between 2,300 and 2,500 people.
"It's a standing joke that the population sign on Highway 7 never changes from 6,000," Mayor Judy Brown told the crowd at a packed town hall meeting earlier this month. "It's about to change now."
The sheer size of the proposed development, as well as its location, has captured the attention — and in some cases, aroused the apprehension — of residents.
"I wouldn't characterize this as a good developer if this is what they're proposing for us," resident Ramsey Hart told the meeting.
WATCH | A sample of resident opinions:
Growing pains
Like many Ontario towns near larger cities, Perth, which sits about 85 kilometres southwest of downtown Ottawa, has had to balance its inevitable growth with a desire to maintain its small-town heritage.
The town's population was already expected to grow by nearly 25 per cent to about 8,100 people by 2038, according to a 2019 comprehensive review.
"People are afraid of losing some of the charm of the town," Brown told CBC. "We don't want to see it become another clone."
Central to the discussion is the future of the 18-hole Perth Golf Course. Established in 1890, it's regarded as Canada's oldest continuously operating course.
Caivan, which has purchased the land, plans to reduce the course to nine holes to make way for the new community.
Neither Caivan nor the Perth Golf Course agreed to speak to CBC for this story.
"We want to be clear that it's our desire to continue 18-hole golf operations through the end of the 2024 season," the course stated in a letter to its members.
"Should the golf course and its operation cease to exist due to financial or other matters, the lands shall be available for development."
Concerns over access
Among the most critical concerns shared by residents is access to the new community.
The land is located just to the west of downtown Perth and south of Highway 7, nearly encircled by the Tay River. Currently, the only road in and out of the golf course crosses the river over a single narrow bridge at the end of Peter Street.
The developer is proposing twinning the bridge, but it would remain the only route into the new community. That's despite a 2018 study that concluded two separate bridges would be needed to handle any future growth in the area.
Some residents are concerned a single entrance will create a choke point that could be inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst.
"The current access, in my view, is a critical mistake," resident Jack Tannett told the town hall to boisterous applause. "I believe it could cost lives."
Joanna Bowes, Perth's director of development services, agreed, noting the single access point could present a serious problem in a crisis such as the recent tornadoes that have struck the region.
"If it happens here, people and emergency services won't be able to get in and out," Bowes said.
An engineering consultant hired by the town to peer review the proposal determined that even a twinned bridge falls short.
"A blockage on either side of the bridge will still leave the development with no alternative access point," according to the report.
'Tweaks' needed
In addition to concerns over access, Bowes noted the development is not included in any long-term plan for the town.
"The project doesn't conform to the provincial policy statement. It's not consistent with the Lanark County sustainability official plan, or with the town of Perth's official plan," she said, referring to the document that sets out the approved vision for the town's growth.
"That's not to say it can't be. We just need to make some tweaks."
Caivan has asked the town to amend its zoning bylaws to allow the development to go ahead.
Meanwhile, Bowes's office has asked for further review of such key issues as drainage, parking, winter maintenance and landscaping.
"It's our obligation as the town to consider all aspects of the plan and to make recommendations, take public comments and continue discussions, whether or not we think it's legitimate," she said.
Bowes told CBC the town is still waiting for some key documents from the developer including an updated environmental impact statement.
If the town council rejects the proposal, Caivan can appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
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