Developer and Town Negotiate Over Golf Course Plans

The future of a proposed housing development in Perth, Ont., is still uncertain as the town and the developer engage with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) in hopes of reaching an agreement, while some residents express worries about the scale of the project.

Caivan, a company from Ottawa, plans to construct approximately 1,000 new homes featuring various types at a historic golf course located on Perth’s western edge.

This initiative has raised questions about road access and whether the town’s infrastructure can handle such a significant increase to its current population of roughly 6,500.

Perth Mayor Judy Brown believes it will help maintain community life when tourists leave at summer’s end, but this proposal has been delayed by third-party decision-making for over a year now.

What led us here?

In 2023, Caivan requested that the town change a zoning bylaw, but did not receive a response within the timeline specified in Ontario’s Planning Act.

Consequently, Caivan appealed to the tribunal, which will decide if the zoning amendment will be approved after holding a public hearing.

This month, Caivan requested that the tribunal postpone a hearing set for February so both parties could engage in mediation and “work on narrowing issues,” according to tribunal statements.

A planner from the town pointed out in August 2023 that while the project doesn’t align perfectly with its official plan, they said: “That’s not to say it can’t be. We just need to make some tweaks.”

Additions for affordable housing

Since then, Caivan has adjusted parts of its proposal.

The total number of units could now reach up to 1,069 – an increase that left local group Perth Citizens for Sensible Development feeling “a bit flabbergasted,” according to member Ramsey Hart who’s lived in Perth for more than ten years. 

This rise is partly due to adding 75 affordable housing units that were missing from the initial proposal.

Ramsey mentioned that even this number isn’t sufficient. 

Caivan distributed this outline of the project last month. (Caivan)

Other modifications made by Caivan include shrinking the project’s footprint by nearly two hectares; ensuring there’s at least a 15-metre setback from all provincially significant wetlands (the site is near Tay River); and planning an additional bridge over the river to alleviate traffic concerns.

“As a result of these efforts, Caivan, the town, and [Lanark County] have agreed to utilize mediation services offered by OLT to assist all parties in trying to resolve remaining issues,” stated Caivan in an email response. 

The town also declined an interview request.

The golf club is temporarily closed

The owners of Perth Golf Course sold their land to Caivan; however, part of their development plan involves retaining some golfing facilities. The course would feature nine holes instead of eighteen. 

The club has been temporarily closed during planning phases and is expected to reopen in 2027 based on information from their website.

It will feature a “new facility,” as indicated by an automatic reply sent regarding CBC’s inquiry.

Perth Golf Course opened in 1890 is Canada’s oldest permanent course. (Sam Konnert/CBC)

John Thompson’s family has played there for over one hundred years. The retiree plays around seventy times each year.

“It is a very emotional gut punch to watch the golf course disappear,” Thompson shared via email.

“I am hoping someone will come along.. and turn it into a year-round recreational facility with eighteen holes of golf, pickleball courts, wellness center space, restaurant options , cross-country skiing paths , and bike trails.”

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