MAPLETON — Some residents are already concerned about the potential impacts of a wellness retreat proposed just outside Cumnock.
To be discussed at a public meeting in Mapleton next week, property owners Shelly and Stephen Frank have applied to rezone 23.4 acres at 7090 Jones Baseline Rd to permit a wellness retreat business for agritourism including five tiny homes for overnight accommodation.
Currently occupied by a residence, detached garage, and additional residential unit, the proposed business would retain an existing hobby barn and include a healing arts barn with naturopathic medicine, hydrotherapy, pilates/yoga, sound healing, tea ceremonies and workshops.
According to township staff, the property falls under the provisions for a lot in the reduced agricultural zoning and will require a special zoning provision to allow short-term rentals, which aren't permitted within the context of the zoning bylaw.
The County of Wellington Official Plan says farm businesses, including farm vacation enterprises, are permitted as a secondary use to the property's principal use as long as they are small-scale.
Included with the application is a letter from residents neighbouring the property, who said they enjoy the "peace and quiet" of a rural area and have raised concerns about privacy issues, noise, parking and lighting on the subject property if approved.
The public meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28 at 7275 Sideroad 16.
A recommendation report and amending by-law will be prepared after the public meeting and once any outstanding issues or clarification are provided.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
