The process of developing a strategic plan for Erieau took a step forward Saturday as residents came out to share their concerns, wants and needs for the future.
Two information sessions were held to go over the results of a community survey that attracted 242 participants.
The development of a strategic plan is being spearheaded by the Erieau Community Association (ECA), which wants planning for future to be driven by the community.
There was a mixture of big-ticket items to relatively easy fixes discussed that residents would like to see happen.
Erosion is a big issue for residents, specifically two areas. One is the erosion of Seagull Island and the impact on the navigation channel. The other is a section of Lake Erie shoreline close to the only road in and out of the village that could turn it into an island if erosion was to cause a major breach of the large rocks protecting the area.
There are also concerns with the state of two municipal-owned lots along Mariners Road, and worries about a large but dilapidated building along the pier at the end of Mariners Road.
And money was no object, some residents would like to have new sewers installed.
There is sure to be some differences of opinion on future growth. When it was suggested some would like the village to grow to be similar to the bustling activity seen in Grand Bend, it brought about some groans in the room.
The topic of short-term rentals is an issue that will require extensive discussion, weighing the benefits of tourism dollars being spent at local businesses with keeping a lid on properties being overcrowded with rowdy guests.
The need for better Internet service is expected to be addressed by the end of the year with plans by Cogeco to invest in the community.
However, some other issues the municipality has control over addressing include improved maintenance of the beach, including more frequent cleaning of beach change rooms and washrooms, increased garbage collection during long weekends, and getting rid of the large amount of poison ivy along beach pathways.
There is also a desire for more services and programming for kids to be provided at the Erieau library, technically considered a book depository, which is run solely by volunteers.
On the issue of safety, the question was raised if an ambulance could be stationed in the village during busy long weekends.
The community feedback received on Saturday will be taken and more community consultation is planned leading to a strategic plan being developed before the end of the year.
Erieau Community Association chair Leo Heuvelmans was pleased with the community response and believes there will be some positive outcomes.
“We are confident that things will get done,” he said.
“None of these are impossible to accomplish, we just got to be patient and work at it,” Heuvelmans said, adding it is a long-term plan.
All three South Kent councilors attended the morning session.
“I think this is an interesting and very important step in the future of Erieau,” Trevor Thompson told those in attendance.
“Clearly there is some push and some pull about how we grow and how we still hang on to that sense of community, belongingness and family,” he said.
“We have to be very careful on how we plot our future,” Thompson said, but added it is important for the residents to be “driving the bus.”
“We’re here because of the great committee we have here in Erieau,” said Anthony Ceccacci about the Erieau Community Association.
He said there have been some great things achieved in the community over the last few years because of the involvement of the Erieau Community Association, Clare Latimer encouraged local residents to take part in the project, which is a vision for Erieau being developed by those who live in the community.