Heather Wright/The Independent

Lambton Shores council has approved plans for a private, paid parking lot in Ipperwash.

The owners of the DeJong Grand Bend Clothing want to use their 50-spot parking lot to generate revenue.

Lambton Shores planners didn’t recommend it saying there is parking in the area. Officials added the lot, which fronts onto the beach, is partly in an area which the local conservation authority says should not be developed.

Neighbours also voiced concern saying while the owners plan to operate during business hours, there would be no way to get the beachgoers back to their cars and out of the lots. They worried that would create noise late into the evening next to their homes.

Council disagreed. Mayor Doug Cook says the owners of the company have been in the community for 25 years and have a good reputation. And he says during the summer, parking is at a premium. 

“If they don’t park in that parking lot, those 50 people… are still going to find a place to park somewhere illegally or legally,” he says. “And if it can generate some revenue for them, I’m all for that, too.”