Roblin Lake camp proposal back on planning agenda after five years

By Sharon Harrison
An application submitted by Prince Edward County Lakeside Retreat Inc. will come before council for consideration relating to a zoning bylaw amendment (first submission) at next Wednesday’s planning and development committee meeting.

The meeting has been re-scheduled twice due to inclement weather and is now set for Wednesday, Feb. 4 at Shire Hall.

Fronting Roblin Lake, the property once known as Ignite Camp and Retreat Centre, is seeking permission to operate an existing (but long defunct) tourist establishment on a year-round basis, and as a for-profit business.

The current zoning allows only the use of the camp to operate in the summer along with a single-detached dwelling (for caretaker), and restricts the operation to a non-profit organization.

It should be noted that an application for a zoning bylaw amendment was previously submitted in October 2020, and is now being re-circulated after a long period of dormancy. (Link below to see that story.)

Under a two-step process, no decision on this planning application is to be made by council at this first statutory overview meeting as it is intended as information-gathering only. Decision by council is to follow at a future second statutory public meeting where staff will provide a report and recommendation.

Located at 467 County Road 19 in Ameliasburgh, the 7.3-hectare property is situated adjacent to the shoreline of Roblin Lake, with more than 300 metres of water frontage (with Roblin Lake park and beach located to the south-west).

The planning rationale report notes the property has been developed and operated for the purposes of a summer camp with overnight accommodations for about 296 people within the existing buildings, structures and services, as well as providing recreational uses, including beach and swimming within Roblin Lake.

There are 15 accommodation buildings within the summer camp, a number of commercial buildings, a pool and pool house, a meeting/assembly hall, crafts building, maintenance building, main building (cafeteria), event space and accessory buildings.

There are no plans to construct any new buildings or structures at this time, notes the report, which indicates any future development of the site will require a site plan control application.

The property was purchased by Prince Edward County Lakeside Retreat Inc., in September 2020, although it is noted that it has not been in operation for a number of years. It was previously operated as a former Salvation Army camp and was owned by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada.

Currently zoned tourist commercial exception 43 (TC-43) in the comprehensive zoning bylaw (2006), or tourist commercial exception 25 (TC-25) in the comprehensive zoning bylaw (2025), the current application proposes to have the property re-zoned to tourist commercial (TC) to allow for the expanded use.

Planning documentation relating to this application can be found on the County’s website.

Concern about process and details to restore former summer camp