ELORA – Residents came out in droves to let Centre Wellington council and Pearle Hospitality know they don’t want to see an extra storey on two of the buildings in the Elora South development that’s underway on the south side of the Grand River.
Allowing the zoning amendment in this case will set a dangerous precedent, residents told councillors, and will make it easier for heights in future development proposals to become taller too.
“It would set a precedent for other buildings,” said Elora resident Donna McCaw. “They could be five or six or seven stories too.
“At the original meeting we were assured the height would not change.”
Council approved the Elora South development plan in 2013 and it includes restoration of the Elora Mill and Mill Street West in phase one, which is complete; relocating and rebuilding the historic potter’s foundry, which is substantially complete; and construction of a five-storey condo building, which is about to begin in phase two.
Phase three of the project in the 2013 plan includes a five-storey hotel and residences, a three-storey retail/office building, a four-storey parking garage, a three-storey retail and activity centre, and the restored Walser and Little Folks buildings.
Matt Johnston, a planner with Urban Solutions, and Aaron Ciancone, owner of Pearle, said the zoning amendment is seeking to allow an extra storey to the retail/office building and the activity centre, referred to as the flatiron building, to add affordable housing for staff.
An artist’s rendering of Elora South development featuring a hotel, residential, commercial and retail units. Submitted image
Ciancone said some of the added height in the amendment request is to add a roof detail to hide the mechanical systems on the roof.
Ciancone is also proposing a wider public walkway along the river and having a swimming pool between the condos and the hotel that’s linked to both.
These changes triggered some of the technical zoning changes – essentially shifting the boundaries of the different zones on the site but leaving the buildings’ orientation and location intact.
“The real request is to increase the height of the two buildings by one storey,” he said.
Residents wanted to know more about the riverwalk trail and to ensure there would be public access.
They also wanted to ensure the proposed enclosed bridge across the river did not impair views of the Mill or the Tooth of Time from the recently completed Jack R. MacDonald pedestrian bridge.
Delegate Stacie Barron called it the “bubble bridge” and said “it feels like Disney or the Epcot Centre. I’m not convinced (the bridge) is going to be public. I would like it off the plan.”
Tanya Chapman said she’s worried the development will make the area too exclusive.
“I worry we’re getting to the point of exclusionism, where only people with money can experience this,” she said.
Geoffrey Wild, owner of the Wild Tart, said while Pearle is saying it will only add one storey, the total height allowance, if approved, could accommodate a seven-storey building.
“In 20 metres, you can build a seven-storey building,” he said. “Where is the safeguard?
“And what does this allow other developers to do? You need to consider the ripple effect,” Wild said, adding several sites in Elora have recently been bought by developers.
The 2021 master plan of the Elora South development is the same as the previous plan approved by council in 2013. Except Pearle Hospitality wants to add an extra storey to two buildings in the plan to add affordable housing. (Screenshot from public meeting June 30)
He said during the Zoom meeting a group was marching to MacDonald Square to voice their disapproval of the zoning amendment and he shared a photo of the group passing by his store.
In a follow-up phone interview, Wild said the approved 2013 Elora South plan is a good plan and that’s what should be constructed.
To allow last-minute zoning amendments is to open the door for additional heights in other developments, and that would change the character of the village beyond repair, he said.
“All developers are going to push the boundaries,” he said. “Council has to stand firm on the height.”
Wild suggested there will be more public demonstrations to emphasize the point.
Pearle agreed to work with staff to set up another public meeting in the fall.
Council will consider the zoning amendment at a future council meeting.
