A proposed 13-site campground near Lake Eugenia resulted in public concerns in Grey Highlands. The property owners, John and Jayne Legree, submitted applications seeking zoning and official plan amendments to permit a campground on a one-acre property located at 109 Hawthorne Lane.
The council did not reach a decision at the meeting. Further deliberation is expected to occur when a full planning report and staff recommendations are presented.
The plan includes nine permanent trailer sites and four transient camping spaces, each measuring approximately 13 by 13 meters. The proposal marks an attempt to revive a previously closed campground on the site, which had a history of municipal and tribunal-level rejection due to environmental concerns.
The Grey Highlands Council convened a public planning meeting to address the application. While the property’s history as a campground adds context, concerns about environmental studies, sewage management, and site suitability were prominent.
Planner Abdullah Pasha emphasized the wide range of public feedback received, including letters both for and against the proposal. The community’s primary concerns included the property’s size, which falls short of the two-hectare requirement under local regulations, and its potential impact on Lake Eugenia’s ecosystem.
The proposal also outlines a sanitation plan involving a local service provider to maintain the portable toilets and trailer washrooms. A communal water system would also need to be constructed before full approval. According to an article published by Colling Wood Today, Mayor Paul McQueen expressed concerns, “It doesn’t seem like the right way to go.”
Lake Eugenia Property Owners Association representative Robert Goodwin also pointed to the strain on the lake’s health. “We believe the development has the potential to negatively impact the lake health, something that has been under stress as of late,” he said.
In contrast, some attendees spoke in favor of the campground, framing it as a boon for local tourism. Sharon Wickens, a Grey Highlands resident, advocated for the project, arguing that it would address a gap in regional camping opportunities and promote family recreation. “Let us all support tourism so that it can be positive, productive, and enjoyable for people to feel welcome coming to our community,” Wickens stated.
