Thursday 21 January 2010

McDonald homes apartment reports updated

By Andrew Keogh

Cramahe Council has decided to accept the planning report of the McDonald Homes apartments after hearing from its Municipal Planning Consultant, Peter Josephs on January 19.

In his report, Mr. Josephs reminded council of the public meeting held last October to discuss the multi-unit building proposed for the northwest corner of Victoria and Arthur streets in Colborne. At that meeting there were numerous concerns expressed by the owners of neighbouring properties.

Some area residents, and Councillor Tim Gilligan, who lives on the adjacent crescent spoke of concerns about the potential residents in an apartment building, and suggested reasons why people might not want to live in it

Mr. McDonald and his consultant, Bob Clark, assured the group that the apartments were geared to seniors with incomes and people who chose not to own their own homes. The plans fit with all provincial guidelines and goals, said Mr. Clark.

Steve Bowskill, who is involved in the proposal, wondered aloud at the October meeting whether the people were opposed in concept, or because it would be “in their back yards”.

In the end, council asked for more details from the developer.

On January 19 council got answers to some of its questions.

By early December, the developer had provided the results of stormwater and archaeology studies. Township also has a statement from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing stating it has no concerns. The Lower Trent Conservation Authority has no objections to the stormwater plan for the property.

But the consultant’s report suggested there is still more clarification needed. An environmental assessment has been done but not reviewed yet by the township. Mr. Josephs was also uncertain about the attached drawings. The applicant forwarded the drawings as a proposed design. Mr. Joseph was not sure if this was a formal commitment to construct the building in the drawing.

The rendition placed before council on January 19 shows a raised 14-unit, two-storey building, with six units on the first and second floors and two in the basement. Parking has been moved back from the west property line to give the neighbouring property additional buffering.

Township staff has yet to consider traffic and site –servicing matters.

Copies of these reports and plans were forgotten in the Jan 19th council agenda. They were requested from Deputy Mayor Jim Williams and presumably given to all members of council to study.

It is expected that council will make a final decision regarding a proposed Official Plan Amendment and Zoning Bylaw Amendment at its March 2 meeting.


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