SHUNIAH — The Ontario Land Tribunal has decided a wellness retreat centre can be developed at Amethyst Harbour over the objections of numerous local residents and the Municipality of Shuniah.
In a decision issued recently, the OLT allowed an appeal, ordering an amendment to Shuniah's official plan and an amendment to a zoning by-law to facilitate the establishment of a business proposed by Alan and Tamara Hutchinson.
They plan to host a maximum of 12 in-residence guests at a time at a retreat centre providing spiritual, cultural or educational indoor and outdoor programs.
Amethyst Harbour property owners said it was inappropriate to allow commercial activity in a historically residential area, and expressed concern about increased traffic and environmental impacts.
When the municipal council initially rejected the amendment applications in June 2023, Mayor Wendy Landry also cited the risk of setting a precedent.
"The lifestyle in Shuniah is mostly residential and cottage country. To have commercial zoning in some of these small associations and beach properties is a concern as to what that does to the lifestyle and to the neighbourhood," she said.
But after considering the points raised by all parties, the Ontario Land Tribunal has sided with the applicants.
In doing so, it relied heavily on evidence presented at a hearing this summer by a planning consultant hired by the Hutchinsons, stating several times in its written decision that it "prefers" her testimony over other evidence it heard regarding issues such as adherence to provincial planning goals, mitigation of environmental concerns, and the compatibility of the business with the neighbourhood.
The OLT concluded the project conforms to or does not conflict with the government's Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, conforms to the official plan, and conforms to the general intent of Shuniah's comprehensive zoning by-law.
Tamara Hutchinson has declined to comment on the outcome, citing what she described as "misinformation and misrepresentation" in news reports over the past year.
Walter Kuch, one of the neighbouring property owners who spoke out against the development, said it's a "really sad" decision.
"So basically now, in a rural zone, adjacent to shoreline residential, they granted significant commercial activity – basically a small hotel. In order for that to happen the applicant also asked to subdivide her property into two lots that are half the size that is normally required in a rural zone, which basically allowed her to finance this venture."
Kuch also alleged the tribunal made a political decision because it reflected "this new process that [Premier] Doug Ford has put in place," which he said left Shuniah council with no power.
"It doesn't make any sense from a planning point of view. Basically, 'Yeah, let's develop everything and get rid of red tape, and don't worry about what the community thinks. Just go, go, go.' It's basically the same thing that happened down in Southern Ontario with the green space."
Now the OLT has made its decision, Mayor Landry told TBnewswatch, Shuniah will take the necessary steps to implement it.
"We will do what changes need to be made, and follow through... We made our decision as council based on the evidence of the presentations before us. And we knew that the OLT had the final say."
