Developer: council good at saying no

By Kirk Starratt

kstarratt@kentvilleadvertiser.ca

NovaNewsNow.com

On his way out of council chambers Feb. 5, developer Gerry Fulton says Kings County has turned down a $50-million residential development, its tourism and economic development spin-offs and voluntary farmland conservation.

Lorna Fulton, representing Fury Farms Ltd., made a presentation to councillors on a proposed residential development beside the Berwick Heights Golf Course in Weston. Council turned down the proposal this past summer: the subject land, roughly 40 acres, is in the agricultural district.

Lorna Fulton said she was bringing forward the same proposal because they still feel it’s a good project; opponents say it’s a good project - in the wrong place - but the Fultons believe it’s a good project because of the location.

The Fultons are prepared to make the first deposit in a county landbank: 126 acres of prime agricultural land around their farm buildings in Somerset, as this would more than offset the land required for their proposal. She challenged landowners to place their own land in a landbank or make a monetary contribution.

“If they’re convinced that all (farm) land should be protected, then they should be willing to bank their land, too,” Fulton said.

She said housing starts could dry up - except for specialty areas, such as next to golf courses. The Fultons’ project could allow the county to provide much-needed programs without raising taxes.

“Instead of huge agricultural lots taking acres of land out of production, cluster housing allows for many units in a small area,” she said, pointing out there are no rural subdivisions close to Berwick Heights Golf Course.

She said no one could argue the golf course, which they developed originally, was not a good project for the community, providing tax revenue, employment, tourism and other spin-offs. The golf course employs 20 people, but needs more golfers to make it viable in the long-term.

Fulton said Sir Tom Farmer, a wealthy Scottish investor and philanthropist who recently visited Kings County to explore investment opportunities, spoke about the potential of golf vacations. She said their proposal could open new tourism opportunities.

She said Fury Farms’ various companies need to keep a staff of 50 employed, and they can’t do it farming alone.

The Fultons have put hundreds of acres of land into production since they moved to Somerset over 20 years ago. They grow carrots and grain crops in addition to running a drainage business, construction companies and real estate operation. They are exploring expansion into blueberries and cranberries, and would use the capital from the housing project for such ventures.

Council’s six-five refusal

Councillor Wayne Atwater said this was the first time anyone had offered land to the county to bank.

Councillor Jim Taylor said his mouth watered over the possibility of land banking and, if the proposal were “up on the hill” (on the nearby North Mountain), it would be a win-win.

Council voted six to five to uphold the past recommendation of its Planning Advisory Committee to deny the Fultons’ application. Atwater immediately said he would be making a motion of reconsideration at next month’s council session.

Citizens: it’s been turned down before

During the public comment session, Leslie Wade of Coldbrook thanked councillors for their decision to deny the Weston application, for sticking to their principles, considering the best interests of the community and considering the best interest of agriculture in the county - all opposed to individuals with a focus of personal gain.

Audrey Haig-Stewart of Greenwich said the challenge for landowners to landbank would only be meaningful to landowners planning to develop.

Amanda Grabowski of Concerned Citizens for Weston asked if there is any policy on the number of times a party could present the same proposal to council.

Chief administrative officer Brian Smith said the county tries to work with developers all the time, and there is no structure to close that door.

“It’s been turned down twice now - what else has to happen?” Grabowski said.

Warden Fred Whalen said anyone is free to make a planning application - if they pay the fee. Smith told Grabowski she could come to council and ask for such a policy, or she could ask her councillor to come with draft policy.

Former District 10 councillor John Griffiths said, in response to Grabowski, “There’s an old saying. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”