Wedding venue built without permits requires retroactive approvals

A proposal to legalize a combination wedding venue and short-term lodging/camping business near Lake Eugenia has generated significant opposition and concern from local residents and neighbors.

However, the site has already been used — and built on — without city approval or applicable licenses.

On October 28, Gray Highlands council held a public meeting to consider a modification of the zoning regulation which would allow a property on Concession 12B near Lake Eugenia to host weddings as well as overnight guests in cabins and tents. The proposal also requires an official plan amendment from Gray County.

The public meeting lasted more than two hours as several neighbors raised concerns about noise, the impact on the environment/local wildlife, parking and traffic.

The proposal is for a wedding venue for events with up to 95 guests on the 100-acre property, with events running until 11.30pm on Fridays and Saturdays and until 10pm on all other nights. The owners would like to offer five cabins and seven tent sites plus the main living unit as short-term rentals for up to 14 people.

Zoning applications and the official plan amendment are complicated by what Gray Highlands planning manager Andrew Payne described as a “history of non-compliance” on the property.

In the summer of 2023, the municipality became aware of multiple problems on the site. The property hosted wedding events without proper zoning or permits.

Several structures on the property were built without building permits and in wetlands.

The property’s main residence was also being used as an unlicensed short-term rental unit. At the time, the municipality ordered weddings to stop, so that the illegal buildings would no longer be used and the short-term rental operation would end.

Payne said the owners have since worked with the municipality, the county and the Gray Sauble Conservation Authority to bring the property into compliance.

At the meeting, planning consultant Kristine Loft represented Loren Jerome Nagy and Caitlin McConnell, the owners of the property, which is known as Highlands Estates.

“The owners want to establish and operate a successful and meaningful business that benefits the municipality and the county,” Loft said.

Payne presented the municipal report on the topic, while Gray County Planner Becky Hillyer spoke about the amendment portion of the county’s official plan.

“It was a very interesting app to review. I think it really tests the various public interest policies of the planning act,” she said, noting that the county received 15 letters from local residents opposing the application, nine letters of support and one neutral letter.

Council members asked several questions about noise, traffic, parking and environmental impact.

Six members of the public also spoke at the meeting and expressed their opposition and concerns about the proposal.

Neighbor Jim Montgomery said he sought permits to build a garage and a renovation/addition to his home.

“It seems that the rules were not followed by everyone,” he said. “It was very worrying to read in the planning report that the planning permission process had been ignored and that several buildings had been built illegally.”

He called the proposal “very intrusive” and said hosting the wedding of up to 95 people, plus staff, would not be small events.

Another speaker called the proposal “exaggerated”. Another neighbor said they have already experienced noisy events at the venue.

“I can’t imagine how much cooler it will be if this project goes forward,” she said.

The council made no decision at the meeting and the planning process will continue. Proponents will have an opportunity to address the comments and concerns raised at the public hearing in future reports.

Planning staff from the municipality and county will, at some point in the future, present reports with recommendations for consideration by both council and county council.