A point of view

Residents speak up for shady acres on the front grounds of McFarland Memorial Home.

Residents force change of plans

The developer of a prospective retirement complex on the grounds surrounding the McFarland Memorial Home in Picton will present its plans to residents, family and concerned citizens today. Nautical Lands Group plans were buffeted by a strong breeze on Tuesday night as a group of residents of the nursing home filed into Shire Hall to protest the development of a pair of retirement apartment buildings on three acres of land in front of the home.

Earlier this year Mayor Peter Mertens and senior County staff embarked on an initiative to attractive investment in, and development of, about 24 acres around the Mc- Farland property. An array of seniors’ living options and health care facilities was contemplated in the concept—the centrepiece being a new hospital—a proposal for which is before the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care currently.

From this initiative, billed as Age-In-Place, the County managed to attract varying levels of interest from several potential investors including Nautical Lands Group. Discussions proceeded during the summer and council was presented with an offer to purchase three acres in September. The deal was set to be finalized at council last Tuesday night, but a number of residents and their families came to Shire Hall to voice their disapproval—most worried their view would be reduced to the back of a couple of apartment buildings.

Most folks, like Pat Zolf, support the idea of developing the land around McFarland to realize the Age-in-Place concept, but they don’t want it outside their window.

Zolf wants a more comprehensive approach taken to development on the land, “not by selling off bits of land on a piecemeal basis.” As a former urban planner Zolf recommends that the County initiate a planning study for the property encapsulating a wide variety of possible development projects.

“This approach would be an important first step in translating this Aging-in-Place concept into a community initiative rather than an initiative driven by the private development industry and a council frantic for revenue sources,” said Zolf. “Let’s do it right.”

Council agreed to send the proposal back to staff to see if an alternative arrangement might be worked out with the developer.

Representatives of the Nautical Land Group will need to be ready to answer plenty of questions this afternoon.