October 7, 2025 Special Meeting

Dysart et al Council held a special meeting today to discuss plans for the 93-acre property the municipality purchased in 2023, located just past Tim Horton’s, across from Peninsula Drive on County Road 21.

Back in January, Council set aside $100,000 to begin studies on the land. At the meeting, Jeff Iles, Director of Planning and Development, presented a proposed work plan outlining several possibilities for the property — including a new subdivision, a long-term care home, or other mixed-use development options.

Before any development can move forward, a number of studies will need to be completed, including:

• A traffic study and intersection design,
• Stormwater and environmental assessments, and
• Servicing capacity reviews for water and sewage.

Former property owner Paul Wilson, who is assisting Dysart with preparing the land for sale or development, attended the meeting and provided guidance on the steps ahead. He emphasized three immediate priorities:

1. An Official Plan Amendment – required whether Dysart chooses to develop or sell the land.
2. A Traffic Study and Intersection Design – essential before any development approvals.
3. Confirmation of Sewage Capacity – particularly critical if a new Extendicare long-term care facility is part of the plan.

Wilson also noted that Dysart’s sewage treatment facility expansion will need to move forward soon, as the municipality is currently near maximum capacity.

Council passed a resolution to begin an Official Plan Amendment that would designate the property as mixed-use and expand the town boundary to include the full parcel. Iles noted that this amendment could take up to 11 months to complete once initiated.

Mayor Murray Fearrey confirmed that there is currently enough sewage capacity to accommodate Extendicare, but added that this would use the remaining capacity and make an expansion of the sewage treatment plant a priority.

It was also suggested that Dysart consider a phased approach — developing the Extendicare facility and a recreation complex under municipal direction first, and later selling a second portion of the property to a developer for residential housing.

The estimated budget for necessary studies is around $300,000, with infrastructure costs projected at approximately $1.55 million. When Paul Wilson asked if the municipality was prepared to commit to those costs, Mayor Fearrey responded, “What choice do we have?”

Council also discussed the potential lot sizes—approximately two acres each—and expressed concern about whether the number of lots would be sufficient to recover the roughly $2 million investment in development costs.

To help finance the project, Mayor Fearrey suggested that the municipality issue bonds.

By the end of the meeting, Council agreed that Dysart et al will act as the developer at this stage and will move forward with the necessary studies to prepare the property for future development.