Lakeshore Council Maintains Position on Greenhouses

Council deferred consideration of a report on a study on the potential creation of a Greenhouse Business Park, which would see the development of a centralized location to site large-scale greenhouses in Lakeshore.  

Council further requested changes to the Official Plan Amendment No. 18, which was submitted to the County of Essex in 2023 and is currently under review. The amendments include requests for an annual review of trends in greenhouse issues in the region, an analysis of the impact of future water main expansions, as well as trends in the price of land and demand for greenhouses in Lakeshore. 

“We recognize that we are limited in our power to reject greenhouses altogether,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey. “However, we will continue to step up and make sure that our residents' concerns are heard, and that the litany of negative impacts are addressed before greenhouses can call Lakeshore home.” 

The interim report on the study also noted that, due to a number of factors, there is not currently a demand for greenhouses in Lakeshore. These constraints include a lack of water capacity, as well as electricity and natural gas. 

The requested changes to the Official Plan, Mayor Bailey added, will ensure Lakeshore is well-positioned to respond to an increase in demand for greenhouses, if necessary. 

“As the report noted, Lakeshore is not positioned to facilitate the development of a large-scale greenhouse project. As is the case with housing growth, developing any type of industrial land use will continue to be dictated to where our infrastructure will allow it,” said Mayor Bailey. “Council will better understand the scope of the required investments in the upcoming Water and Wastewater Master Plan." 

The Water and Wastewater Master Plan will be presented to Council at the Regular Meeting on October 8, 2024. 

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