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Proposal would see campground built at former welcome centre

Rezoning application seeks a 32-site facility with a chalet
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Greater Sudbury's planning committee will review a rezoning application Nov. 2 that would allow the creation of a campground with 32 campsites and a chalet. Supplied photo.

Greater Sudbury's planning committee will review a rezoning application Nov. 2 that would allow the creation of a campground with 32 campsites and a chalet. 

City staff are recommending that the plans by developers Armand Charbonneau and Stephanie Malik be approved. They want to build on land on Whippoorwill Avenue, near Highway 69. It's the location of the former welcome centre and rest stop the city operated for decades.

They're seeking to rezone the land from rural special to resort commercial special, which would permit the campsite. Staff is recommending that, as a condition of approval, the only permitted use be a camping ground limited to 32 campsites and the hostel/chalet containing four units. 

There would also have to be a 1.8-metre high chain link erected along the entire north section of the property.

The 6.52-acre property is located at the northeast corner of Whippoorwill Avenue and Highway 69 in the community of Richard-McFarlane Lake Flats. 

The campground would be accessed from an existing camping ground to the east, although an existing private road would have to be extended. The hostel/chalet would be accessed from the existing driveway onto Whippoorwill Avenue. 

The area nearby is mixed with urban residential lots on the west along Whippoorwill Avenue, an existing camping ground to the immediate east and a hotel to the south across Highway 69.

There are also a number of larger and vacant rural lots in the area on both sides of Highway 69, along with a roofing business to the southeast on Crown Ridge Road. 

The area doesn't have city services, meaning a private sewage system would have to be installed.

Some neighbours in the area are objecting to the plan. Several complained using identical letters expressing concerns about the fate of the whipperwill birds and blandings turtles in the area.

Other objections include fears about the impact on Richard Lake, the danger from campfire and from “transient visitors” would be frequenting the area.

The public hearing on the application will be held at the Nov. 2 planning committee meeting, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Tom Davies Square.


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Darren MacDonald

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