Uxbridge is faced with the challenge of deciding by May 26 whether Lakeridge Ski Resort on Chalk Lake Road can go ahead and operate its summer season program this year. The resort has applied for rezoning to allow for mountain biking, high ropes and a climbing wall but, the only problem is, the activities have been offered for years already under the radar of the Township. But it didn't slip by the neighbours of the ski resort, who originally took their concerns to Township staff, which prompted Lakeridge to come forward with an application last year.

The resort's area manager, John Tustian, claims they shut down the summer program last year following a visit from bylaw officers, but then re-started when a Township staff member advised his staff they could continue until the end of the season since it was almost over. The Township could not confirm that claim. But regardless of the case, the bylaw department still had to go to the property to shut things down, even though resort officials knew they were in the wrong.

In December 2006, Mr. Tustian explained the resort was forced to shut down during the Christmas season due to lack of natural snow, losing a chunk of revenue. The resort's consultant said at the time the additional activities were needed due to decline of the weather during the ski season.

That was 2006. Anyone living in within a few hundred kilometres of Uxbridge will likely know the 2007/08 winter was a different story. With the exception of a January thaw, there were probably not as many costs (compared to the previous year) to produce artificial snow for the hills.

So here's the dilemma: Lakeridge's summer activities are apparently a hit with school groups. The resort no doubt pays a large commercial tax bill to Uxbridge. It employs several full-time and part-time staff, some of whom Mr. Tustian previously noted may be lost if the additional uses are not approved. And, if the Township denies the proper zoning requested, Lakeridge could challenge Uxbridge in an Ontario Municipal Board hearing. One resident at the most recent meeting regarding the rezoning even accused Uxbridge of letting things slide because councillors were afraid of OMB costs, a notion quickly shot down by Uxbridge's planning chairman, Coun. Jack Ballinger.

On the other side of the coin, Lakeridge is not the first business that has come to council in the last few years looking for zoning after the fact. And it likely won't be the last, especially if council allows the activities to continue. To its credit, Uxbridge has charged Lakeridge for operating against zoning, but the result of the case is yet to be known. It could go either way in court.

But Uxbridge can't do much about the court system. What it can do is deny Lakeridge the zoning now, send bylaw officers when available to ensure compliance, while sending a clear message to other businesses thinking of asking for permission years after operating without permits or zoning. It may not stop the problem, but it also may make businesses think twice before going down the same path.