Forgive us if there’s a tone of pronouncement in our headline, but we’re pretty excited about what’s happened over the last month or so, and about what the coming months will bring. Meaford Haven’s Three-Seasons Retirement Community is moving rapidly closer to seeing the first spade in the ground, and realizing this unique retirement community vision.

It’s been a painstaking process to take that vision from the initial idea to reality, and it has required a big investment of time, money and energy during the last two years. In order to have the property ready for a builder to actually begin work, we needed to clear three hurdles. We’ve now cleared two of them, and on Monday, we look forward to hearing good news from Meaford Council on the third and final step.

First off, Meaford Haven needed to obtain an amendment to Meaford’s Official Plan to change the land-use designation on the property to accommodate the retirement community we envisioned, and to slightly reduce the size of the area designated for commercial use along the area fronting on Highway 26. The amendment was approved last fall.

Next, Grey County needed to approve Meaford Haven’s Draft Plan of Subdivision, which creates the blocks and sets conditions for development. Last month, just before Christmas, the county recognized that Meaford Haven had addressed any concerns brought forward, and approved the Draft Plan of Subdivision. With the appeal period finished and no further action, this Plan is in full force.

Finally, on Monday, Meaford Council will be presented with the zoning bylaw amendment, which defines more detailed conditions on the various blocks, and sets the stage for a builder to begin work on the Meaford Haven property.

We look forward to celebrating completion of this third and final step, and we’ll share the news on this and upcoming developments with you here.