Nudist resort’s fight for trailer park before OMB

The Ponderosa Nature Resort for nudists and the City of Hamilton are at odds over a trailer park at the resort. They are scheduled to appear before an Ontario Municipal Board hearing in 2017.

Bill Horrill, representing homeowners in a community next door to Ponderosa on Concession 8 West, will be at the hearing to voice concerns of residents at the Antrim Glen retirement community.

The OMB hearing is to decide on the Ponderosa’s application asking the city to amend the city official plan and its zoning bylaw to permit the existing mobile homes.

Horrill said some of the residents close to Ponderosa are concerned about water and sewer services at the trailer park. The trailer park is not permitted under the current city zoning.

Horrill said Antrim Glen and Beverly Hills Estates family community draw water from wells, and were required to have their own sewage treatment plants.

The residents fear Ponderosa’s mobile homes and any expansion might affect the groundwater if they also draw from wells and use septic systems for sewage. “We want the same regulations for Ponderosa that we have,” Horrill said.

“The MOE (Ministry of the Environment) dictates how much water we can draw every day. We want them (Ponderosa residents) to have to account for their water, too.”

Horrill said the concerns have “nothing to do with their lifestyle.” He said Antrim Glen residents have been told there are 58 mobile homes and 110 campsites at Ponderosa, meaning there could be as many as 110 more trailers in summertime.

City spokesperson Ann Lamanes said officials are not opposed to the Ponderosa request, and although the matter is before the OMB, “the city is in active settlement discussions.” For that reason, “we are not able to speak in detail on what’s happening.” Lamanes said the issues centre on ensuring Ponderosa has the proper services in place.

Lawyers for the Ponderosa did not respond to requests for comment.