Campfire Circle

Development on Natural Core Area worries local groups

A camp for children affected by cancer, and other serious illnesses, on a 32.8- hectare property on the north-eastern shore of West Lake located south-west of Bloomfield off Wesley Acres Road was back in front of Council last Wednesday evening for a decision.

The proponent—Campfire Circle—filed an application for a zoning bylaw amendment to re-zone the property, currently used for agriculture, to site-specific tourist commercial in order to facilitate the development and use of a specialty summer camp on the property.

A revised re-zoning recommended by planning staff, which was in front of Council, would limit the uses on the site to the establishment of private camp only and not be open to the travelling public, as initially proposed.

John McAllister head of Communications for Campfire Circle, noted that Prince Edward County was the perfect location for the camp. “When kids are diagnosed with cancer or serious illnesses, they miss out on so many opportunities. Campfire Circle exists to help these children take back their childhood, one campfire at a time,” said McAllister. “We are excited to build this new camp in PEC, and we are committed to being a strong community partner in the County for many decades to come.”

Miles Weekes of Fotenn Planning shared that since the last meeting, the parking area had been broken up into smaller areas, to assist with winter maintenance and to be set farther back from the wetlands. He also spoke to the change to the zoning. “In our previous iteration, this included a variety of uses, the camp and also a resort establishment and things of that nature. With staff we have worked to reduce the permitted uses to only a private camp on the property, as well as accessory uses you would expect with a camp,” said Weekes.

The site is located within a natural core area in the County’s Official Plan, and includes a provincially-significant wetland (PSW) and an area of natural scientific interest (ANSI). This has led to many concerns from local environmental groups.

Wellington resident Amy Bodman spoke on behalf of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists. She said that the plan should not be approved until, at least, all proposed development is removed from the two significant woodlands.

“Not mentioned in the Environmental Impact Study or on the site plan map is the trenching required through these woodlands for utilities, including hydro and plumbing,” said Bodman. “The MNRFs significant woodland criteria was applied to the two woodlands, and significance was determined for both.”

Cheryl Anderson, representing the South Shore Joint Initiative, outlined how the land came to be designated a Natural Core Area in the County’s Official Plan.

“The piece of land the Campfire Circle charity paid $4.5 million in 2022 is in an area of natural and scientific interest and it is surrounded by an area of provincially-significant coastal wetlands, and includes two significant woodlands, and is home to at least five species-at-risk. From a natural heritage point of view, this piece of land is priceless,” said Anderson.

Amy Bodman then read comments on behalf of citizen scientist Sandra Dowds. She noted that four times every year in June and July, three volunteers along with Dowds set up monitoring equipment at the edge of wetlands along Wesley Acres Road.

“We play a special timed recording of particular marsh bird calls. Listening and watching to see if they answer back. Due to their territorial behaviour, marsh birds often vocalize or approach in response to broadcasts of their songs and calls. It is very exciting when we hear the birds call out of the very still marsh,” read Bodman.

“Once habitat is disturbed or encroached upon, many species will simply not tolerate this intrusion onto their space and will abandon their territory. This is what I am afraid of for the Wesley Acres wetland with this development.”

Councillor Sam Grosso wasn’t concerned about the birds.

“I just find it absolutely amazing that people want to hear birds talk back to them, rather than hearing kids laughing and enjoying the outside environment,” he said. “So, if birds talking back to you, is that important for you, I don’t know. Maybe, I’ll just shake my head at that.”

Bodman spoke up, saying she felt Councillor Grosso’s comments were an attack.

Perhaps the most resonating comments came from Ameliasburgh resident Evelyn Wilson. Her late child attended a similar camp, and she explained eastern Ontario families aren’t utilizing the other two Campfire Circle camps because it’s a lengthy drive for the families.

“The lady who just said, if you take away the wetlands then that’s going to create anxiety and depression. Well, think about the families of kids who are stuck in the hospital, they are full of anxiety and depression,” said Wilson. “And then the other lady who said, the species are at risk, our kids are at risk. Our kids are priceless, land isn’t. And the camp will work its magic to make sure everything is good. This is something our County needs. And they said, save it for another time, our kids don’t have time, so there isn’t time, now is the time.”

Councillor Phil Prinzen said he was happy to finally see this day come.

“I have been working with Campfire Circle for both my terms approaching this day. Seeing this facility that will be there for these kids to enjoy is something that I fully support. I can understand and appreciate the nature thing, but this isn’t something where they are going in and filling the land and wrecking the trees as a development,” said Prinzen.

Councillor Brad Nieman wanted to see children in need have a camp to attend.

“These are kids coming that are suffering from cancer and they are not going to be running around ripping up the trees. They are there for that one week to have fun and being with someone dealing with the same thing and they are feeling normal. The idea that they are going to destroy the land, I don’t agree with that and that is the not the right approach to be taking,” said Nieman.

Councillor John Hirsch believed the camp had strong merit, but that it was simply in the wrong location.

“Tonight, I want to remember that we are making a planning decision, not a decision of whether or not a very worthwhile children’s camp is a good idea. Of course it’s a good idea, and it’s most welcome in the County,” said Hirsch.

“These woodlands, by the proponents’ own EIS consultants, are significant woodlands, so they can’t be developed. I don’t understand how planning can excuse that as being previously disturbed areas, that is definitely one concern.”

Hirsch noted he had a motion prepared to refer the file back to staff, but after reading the temperature in the room decided not to table it.

“If we can be sure that all of these issues will be dealt with at site plan stage, then that’s fine,” he said.

Councillor Chris Braney said he loved the vision and intent, but was also cognizant of some of the environmental concerns.

“I am always kind of considering buy-in and things that would appeal to everybody to try and move forward,” said Braney. “In the forested area, why could we not consider moving one of those key buildings instead of taking down the forested area?” he asked.

Weekes said that what is proposed now is what is envisioned as the most beautiful and cohesive way of developing this site.

“All of the buildings being proposed are on portions of land that are already disturbed,” he said. “There are no large trees that would be considered as significant features….none of those are proposed to be removed. In this case, effort has been made to work the project around the natural features.”

Mayor Steve Ferguson noted the substantial amount of money that has to be raised that is coming out of donors’ pockets for the camps.

This is not a big profit-oriented moneymaker; this is to enable kids to enjoy that one week, some of whom it may be their only one week,” said Ferguson. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our community to demonstrate its heart and its compassion. This is something that we can be very proud of.”

The file was approved with a 12-1 recorded vote, with only Councillor Hirsch opposed. Councillor David Harrison was absent.