Lilac Resort wants zoning changes

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This article was published 05/12/2023 (524 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Province turned down an effort by the RM of Ste Anne to convert all Lilac Resort property to Highway Commercial zoning to make expansion and development of the campground smoother.

Council passed a new zoning bylaw at its Nov. 22 meeting that changes some of the resort’s zoning, but leaves some as rural residential.

The other change that did not go through was another attempt to create more commercial space down Dawson Road along Highway 1 east of Richer. That will stay zoned natural environment.

Lilac Resort president Dan Manaigre was at the second public hearing held just before the vote last Wednesday. His main concern is that he or any future owner will have difficulty adding campsites or any other development.

“I think you’re fine. You’re grandfathered, nothing can happen to you. That can carry father to son,” said Reeve Richard Pelletier.

The Province denied the change because the RM did not change its development plan before making the zoning bylaw change, so it appears to be a procedural issue.

“You’ve been there since the ‘50s. Regardless of what happened around you, you got to keep doing what you’re doing. Now we need to catch up, and that’s what the Province I think is asking us to do,” said Ward 6 Coun. Randy Eros.

“It’s not on you, it’s on us to fix that level so that you are doing the right thing on the right kind of land,” added Eros.

“Unless you decide to intensify before we get to that step,” cautioned CAO Mike McLennan.

All council members at the meeting made clear they want to get the development plan and zoning right for Lilac Resort before unanimously passing the changes to the zoning bylaw the province did allow. Councillors Sarah Normandeau and Kyle Waczko were not in attendance.

Most of the changes to zoning that were passed were for intensification to commercial in Richer and throughout the RM near Highway 1 and Highway 12 just south of the town of Ste Anne.

More proposed changes including something on food trucks can be expected in the New Year, according to the CAO.