Proposed greenhouse build raises ire of residents

By Mark Ribble

WHEATLEY — Deb and Gary Wenzler have always enjoyed a great view from the back porch of their sprawling bed and breakfast property at the end of Hickson Road.

That view is in jeopardy with a sudden announcement that Chatham-Kent has approved water delivery to an neighbouring 100-acre property for the future construction of a greenhouse pepper operation.

“We just found out last week,” said Deb. “There’s been no official notification.”

The property on Hickson Road is considered by many to be in Wheatley, but it’s actually part of the Municipality of Leamington.

Properties on the west side of Kent Road 1 (Erie St. South) are governed by Leamington, while the east side and anything in Wheatley’s town core are governed by Chatham-Kent.

Last Wednesday, a Chatham-Kent Public Utilities Commission meeting brought to light the plan for the neighbouring property.

Municipalities often have agreements in place when it comes to boundary-line properties, to allow water and sewage to flow across boundaries to service customers in those outlying areas.

In this case, Chatham-Kent holds the cards in allowing water and sewage to flow to and from this Leamington-based property.

More than 30 Wheatley residents emailed C-K administration and council to voice their opposition in a rush to get their opinions heard for the meeting.

Chatham-Kent Councillor Mark Authier, who sits on the committee, brought a motion forward to delay the water approval until next year, but it was defeated.

The sewage end of it has not yet been approved. Once it is, the planning department in Leamington is free to allow the greenhouse approval.

The Wenzlers found out through Councillor Melissa Harrigan, who made the agenda public in a social media post.

The Wenzlers appreciate their two councillors’ efforts.

“Melissa and Mark are both prosmall-town,” said Deb. “They’ve got our backs.”

The Wenzlers’ concerns are more than just for themselves.

“Wheatley is growing,” she said. “Nobody will want to come here if they will be surrounded by greenhouses.”

Wenzler’s Landing hosts travellers from all over the world — many of whom have a keen interest in relocating to this area after retirement. She believes that those people will now look elsewhere.

“They take a chair out to the back of our property to view the gorgeous night sky,” she added. “There won’t be a night sky if this goes through.”

Arn Wenzler points to the soybean field where a proposed 100 acre greenhouse operation is planned next to his property on Hickson Road, south of Wheatley. Sun photo

The Wenzlers, in partnership with ERCA, have planted about 4,000 trees on their property to provide habitat for the numerous animal species and provide a natural setting for their guests to enjoy.

“We’ve invested a lot of money and hard work,” she says.

She wonders what fail-safes are in place, such as setbacks from neighbouring properties and bylaws to mitigate the effects of bunkhouses and other structures on neighbouring properties.

“This town is growing,” she said. “Wheatley has the best people — a caring, supportive community.”

She worries that the continuous building of greenhouses will not only affect Wheatley’s potential growth, but also affect the quality of life and property value of people already living in the community.

“The almighty dollar speaks,” she said. “They just don’t care.”

For her brother-in-law Arn Wenzler, who lives next door, he worries about the environmental impact.

“Muddy Creek is already in a vulnerable state,” he says. “Making 100 acres of greenhouses will just make a fragile eco-system more fragile.”

Muddy Creek runs along the back of the Wenzler farm and provides habitat for numerous animals, such as deer, waterfowl and songbirds.

“Our taxes will go up and our property values will go down,” he added. Arn Wenzler’s farm property is adjacent to the proposed greenhouse property. He estimates that he’s planted over 50,000 trees on his property as well. “I like to help the wildlife,” he said. For now, the Wenzlers are hanging their hopes on their fellow residents and neighbours making enough noise to quell the project — and trusting that Leamington hears them too.

They hope that there is sufficient notice given by Leamington in the planning stages of this particular project, which may at least buy them some time to form a strategy.