FERGUS – Council here approved a development application for 820 St. David St. N. (Highway 6) at its Dec. 18 meeting, but not without some reservations.
The October application was deferred by council pending answers to their questions.
On Dec. 18, planning and development director Brett Salmon reported back.
Councillors had wondered if more public engagement was needed given the time lapse between the public meeting several years ago and now.
Wellington County recently circulated a draft plan of condominium application throughout the neighbourhood that “clearly described the proposed development as a five-storey mixed use building consisting of five commercial units and 45 residential units,” Salmon wrote in his report.
“I believe that supports the recommendation that no further engagement is required,” he added in his verbal report to council.
Council hoped for a greater buffer between the residential part and the existing gas bar and drive-thru Tim Hortons.
It’s possible, Salmon said, but would eliminate some parking integral to the plan, which includes shared parking between the new apartment and the existing Best Western hotel.
He said the current landscape plan “meets or exceeds minimum landscaping space. Staff don’t support losing parking,” he added.
Because the gas bar and Tim Hortons are on a separate lot, the proximity to the residential building does not apply.
Councillor Bronwynne Wilton pointed out that if the same plan was proposed on a single lot, a greater distance between residential and the gas bar would be required.
“My concern is we’re using a line on a lot to allow this,” she said.
“The end result is that it will be close (residential to the gas bar).”
Wilton said she supports intensification, but it has to be equitable housing.
“All housing should have access to trees and air to breathe,” she said.
Mayor Shawn Watters said this stretch of St. David Street North is exactly what intensification looks like, with schools, churches, homes and retail along an urban corridor.
“This is important as we want to preserve agricultural land,” he said.
In the end, council approved the application.
