On Wednesday, May 19th at 7:00 pm. Council will meet to receive information relating to the proposed Irth Landscape Hotel and Spa in North Marysburgh – at CR-8 and Rock Crossroad. A subsequent Council meeting shortly thereafter will determine the fate of one of the County's natural heritage areas. The applicant is asking for an amendment to the Official Plan and a re-zoning from Rural to Tourist/Commercial to construct the hotel and spa and accommodate tens of thousands of visitors per year.

The resort site occupies part of, and is adjacent to, the Lost Lake wetland, a Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) and an important part of the natural heritage of our community.  Buildings are proposed within the fragile Environmentally Protected forested escarpment

The development would have dramatic environmental impact on the land and wildlife and the surrounding area. Noise, light, traffic and human disturbance will bring environmental degradation to the wetlands ecosystem. This land should not be commercialized.

We have consistently objected since its unveiling in November 2018. Our argument centers on the fact that this development is simply located in the wrong place, given the unique and recognized importance of the fragile ecosystem represented by the lake, wetlands and escarpment and the resort's incompatibility with the existing neighbourhood.

- More tourism development – congestion, traffic, and tourism ‘sprawl’, well outside the designated Tourism corridors in the Official Plan

- The County Official Plan states that environmentally sensitive locations should be protected from development. The development is also against the Provincial Policy Statement that strongly cautions against development of coastal wetlands.

- Loss of one of the County’s special natural places – once the site is rezoned as “Tourist Commercial” it is lost forever and ‘concept’ drawings can change significantly. It is also a small step to amend again to increase density and/or change the usage model for a greater return on investment.  

- Construction and long term operation of a resort, and the introduction of tens of thousands of people will undoubtedly lead to destruction of habitat, and loss of species at risk.

- Loss of the integrity of the ecosystem and severe environmental impact on long-term ecological function and biodiversity of the Lost Lake Wetland and Forested Escarpment.

- Given construction and operation of cabins and the spa within the designated protected area of the escarpment, there is certain fragmentation of the ecosystem and natural wildlife corridor that runs from County road 7 to County Road 8.

- Adverse impact on the immediately adjacent  biodynamic Cape Vineyard and its fields, as well as down gradient homes and wells, given the limestone bedrock and karst terrain and sub surface water movement that has high risk of pollution and contamination from Irth’s septic beds, building and parking areas. Drawdown of the resource and impact on ground water recognizing  the need to sustainably supply a hotel, restaurant, cabins and a 5 pool spa.

- Distance from services and the year round increase of thousands of vehicles on County roads, particularly County Road 8, but County Road 7 as well and Rock Cross Road.

- Noise, light, service vehicles and resort traffic year round will have a deleterious impact on endangered and species at risk, including birds, bats, turtles and herpetofauna. Mitigation efforts will only attempt to address permanent damage to the environment.

- The Nature Conservancy states that PEC has already lost 1/3 of its wetlands and associated wildlife habitat. This continues to increase that loss – all under the relentless demands of commercial exploitation and developer profit. 

- Approving the application sets a damning precedent – the Lost Lake Wetland and surrounding forest and escarpment is one of 11 newly defined Natural Core Areas in the recently completed new Official Plan. Opening the Cressy Natural Core Area tomajor commercial development before our new Official Plan is in force sends a signal that far from respecting its Planning Vision, the County is a place where “Business trumps Nature”

Learn more and see the beauty of the Cressy wetlands landscape at pecsohl.ca   Thank you so much for your assistance in this cause.