Councillors here were asked on Monday to ponder the time lag between a zoning application and its final consideration.
Council authorized the passing of a bylaw that will allow Keating Construction of Elora to build a three-story, 27 unit apartment building (with a plan of condominium being sought at the county), at the southwest corner of Colborne Street and Gerrie Road. There would also be a semi-detached home built between that building and the nearest home on Colborne Street.
To build those two structures, Keating plans to demolish a house there that was built in the 1970s.
Planner Brett Salmon told the committee of the whole the company first sought the approval for a 25 unit building.
Salmon said the plan was first presented in 2005 and the public meeting on the zoning was held that year.
He noted the minutes of that meeting showed a mix of support and concerns by residents.
The Planning Act requires only one public meeting, but Salmon said with such a lapse between the first meeting and the proceeding of the proposal, township staff urged Keating to hold an open house and gave him a list of property owners to inform who live within 120 metres of the property.
That meeting was held on April 5.
“Keating has reported that approximately 17 people attended the open house and no significant concerns were brought forward,” Salmon said in his report.
He added, “Township staff has not received any enquiries or comments since the notice of the open house was delivered.
Salmon said the access to the apartment would be off Gerrie Road, and the subject land is designated for a variety of housing types, including apartments and semi-detached homes.
He said in his report the way the project is laid out, it “can co-exist with its neighbours” and there is adequate parking.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj said she has concerns about the time lapse between the required public meeting and the application proceeding years later. She wondered if there is anything in the act that requires a second meeting after such a time lapse.
Salmon said there is not, and one meeting meets all requirements. He added there are times when the township gets some applications and time lapses before the developer proceeds. When that happens, he said he encourages the applicant to hold an open house.
Ross-Zuj asked if the township can implement its own rules that another public meeting is required when there is a long time between the first meeting and the application proceeding.
Salmon said the company did hold an open house and it gave people plenty of time to comment.
That meeting was in early April, and people knew the issue would be coming to council on April 16.
Councillor Kirk McElwain noted there were “quite a few objectors” at the public meeting years ago.
“Were those people contacted?” he asked.
Salmon said they were if they lived within 120 metres, and noted “that is assuming they still live there.”
Councillor Fred Morris asked why there was an increase of two apartment units.
Salmon said with the experience Keating has gained over the past few years with larger buildings, the company was able to design “a more efficient building.”
He said the size of the building has not increased from the original plan.
The committee then authorized council to pass a bylaw to approve the proposal. It carried unanimously.
