The pending deal for the purchase of the Baldoon Golf Club is set to be pushed back.
In an e-mail obtained by the Sydenham Current, addressed to the mayor and members of council, Marsha Coyne, acting director of planning services for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, said the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority is recommending that an environmental impact study be conducted on the property.
“The owner has been advised that an environmental impact study will be required prior to the applications moving forward to council for consideration,” Coyne said in the e-mail. “An environmental impact study can take a significant amount of time depending on the scope of the study. Once the applicant has retained a qualified professional to complete the study we will have a better idea how long the process will take.”
The Sydenham Current broke the story back on August, that the golf course at 7018 Dufferin Ave. had been sold to two separate buyers.
One proposed owner, Melissa Gaylard, the current general manager at the club, is looking to purchase the clubhouse and continue operating as a restaurant, catering and banquet facility.
The other proposed owner, local farmer Scott Kilbride, is seeking to turn the majority of the property into agricultural land.
The purchase is pending the approval of an official plan amendment, zoning by-law amendment and consent applications.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority outlines details explaining why they are recommending the environmental impact study, including: the property lying adjacent to Baldoon is a “significant coastal wetland” and the property possibly contains “significant wildlife habitat” or “habitat of threatened or endangered species.”
The SCRCA says any decisions about the proposal should be deferred until the environmental impact study is completed.
Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley said he is “glad” the SCRCA is taking a thorough look.
“Even though I know the owners probably do not like this added requirement it will in fact give all interested community members a chance to look for any positive opportunities,” Wesley said. “With any decision by Council put off until sometime in 2015 we have time now.
Wesley added: “The community, nor do I, does not want to lose this valuable asset.”
Wesley said anyone with issues or concerns should contact the planning consultant Robert Brown at 519-354-4351.
“Make your concerns known,” he said.
The Baldoon report had been scheduled to come before council at the Nov. 3 council meeting.
Sources say the requirement to have the environmental impact study conducted will push the deal back at least a month.
The golf course is tentatively scheduled to close Oct. 31, with
