Township says no to paintball facility

Posted By COURTNEY WHALEN, SUN MEDIA

Posted 2 months ago

With minimal discussion and a unanimous decision, Oro-Medonte council gave final reading to a bylaw to revoke site plan approval for Horseshoe Valley Paintball, Thursday night.

Councillors were giving third reading to the bylaw, after it was deferred for two weeks on Oct. 28 to allow time for councillors to consider the issue and get further input.

A site plan agreement was signed with the Township and Horseshoe Valley Paintball in June. The business, operating on 12 acres of land on Line 7 North, was operating as a home occupation under Oro-Medonte's official plan.

A report from the director of development services outlined a number of items in contravention of the municipality's bylaws and recommended council revoke the site plan agreement and request the operators apply for a rezoning for the paintball park.

Thursday night, director of development services Andria Leigh told councillors that a meeting had been held with Monty Childs, who manages the facility operated on his property and owned by his son and son-in- law.

"It is our understanding the issues identified haven't been addressed," said Leigh.

"It's a good business, but it's in the wrong spot," said Deputy Mayor Ralph Hough, noting he wasn't in favour of allowing the facility to operate in non-compliance throughout a rezoning application, if one is filed.

"I have no comment in regards to what our plans are or where we go from here," Monty Childs said yesterday.

But Thursday night, after the decision, residents in the area who oppose the paintball facility were pleased with the outcome.

"It has violated a vast majority of the stipulations of a home-based business," Vera Cameron- Van Amelsvoort said outside the council chambers.

"We're thankful that the third reading was passed and that council recognized that."