MAPLETON – The go-ahead has been granted for a naturopath to move forward with plans to open a wellness retreat near Cumnock, between Fergus and Arthur.
After lengthy discussions during a public meeting on Jan. 28 and a Mapleton council meeting on Feb. 25, a bylaw change was approved to permit the wellness retreat on a hobby farm at 7090 Jones Baseline.
The farm is owned by Dr. Shelly Frank, whose vision for the property includes building a “healing arts barn” where guests can participate in hydrotherapy, sound healing, naturopathic medicine, therapeutic massage, pilates, yoga, tea ceremonies and workshops.
During their time at the retreat guests would stay in one of five tiny homes that could accommodate up to 10 people. Four of these tiny homes are yet to be built.
Just two of Mapleton’s five-member council voted in favour of approving the zoning bylaw amendment needed to permit the retreat, but the change was approved nonetheless.
Mayor Gregg Davidson was absent during the Feb. 25 meeting in which the vote was held, as was councillor Amanda Reid.
Councillors Michael Martin and Marlene Ottens voted in favour of approving the bylaw change, and councillor Lori Woodham abstained.
The tiny homes can only be used as short-term rental accommodations, not as residential units, and only for “overnight guests utilizing the services of the healing arts barn,” according to the bylaw amendment.
The existing tiny home was initially approved as an additional residential unit, but has been used as a short-term rental accommodation.
Since the Feb. 25 bylaw change, the existing tiny home is now considered a short-term rental accommodation, not an additional residential unit for long-term tenants.
Martin asked what the plan is for water and wastewater, and township planner Linda Redmond said the owner has proposed one large septic bed for the four tiny homes and the retreat building.
The wellness retreat centre will include five tiny homes, including four that resemble the one above. Mapleton council agenda image
Ottens asked what will happen if the retreat business is unsuccessful. She expressed concern that Frank would pivot to renting the tiny homes out through AirBnB.
Woodham expressed concerns that the parameters spelled out in the bylaw could not be enforced.
“We have no teeth,” she said.
She asked what would happen if “we find out that there’s weddings, that there’s large gatherings, that you can look it up on AirBnB and there’s rental accommodation.”
Martin noted the township has “been struggling with enforcement for the last number of years … and when applications come in you know it’s the aftermath that gets really difficult to deal with.”
Redmond said many of the conditions included in the bylaw amendment, such as prohibiting large gatherings, are expectations regardless, but are spelled out within the bylaw “to just make it clear to the landlord as well as the neighbours … that this is not a permitted use.”
She added, “Our teeth in this is that it isn’t a permitted use, and should it occur then the same would be applied as anything else in the township when there is a use going on that is not permitted.
“A complaint is lodged and bylaw will deal with it.”
“I think the neighbours would be quite vigilant about keeping tabs,” Ottens said.
Redmond also noted that if the property owners were to submit an application for a permit for a larger outdoor event with a tent, that application would be declined.
“So that’s our teeth, and that’s all we’ve got for any property,” she said.
