BRUCEDALE – Despite already operating as both a long-term care facility and a retirement home, Eden House Care Facility in Guelph/Eramosa has requested a zoning change to add retirement home as an additional use, prior to a renovation project.
During a regular council meeting on March 3, a request was presented to council to amend the current site-specific agricultural zoning to add a retirement home as an additional use.
The Eden House Care Facility, which has been operating at 5016 Wellington Road 29 for over 50 years, is 35,000 square feet in size and has 56 bedroom units, 21 of which are already being used as retirement units.
Guelph/Eramosa Mayor Chris White was confused as to why the care home was seeking a zoning change in the first place.
“If they’re already licensed for a higher standard of care, why do they now have to come to us for zoning to be a retirement home?” he asked.
County of Wellington senior planner Joanna Henderson told council the bylaw distinguishes between the two uses and “the zoning bylaw has considered it a different use to be a retirement home.”
White said the situation felt like “splitting hairs.”
“Maybe that’s on us … I don’t see the difference,” said White.
“It’s like we are splitting hairs here.”
Henderson told council that despite the planned renovation, the proposed retirement home would use existing bedroom units, activity rooms and kitchens.
She also noted no changes would be made to the outside of the property and it would use the existing well and septic system.
Members of the public were invited to share their comments and concerns during the meeting, but no one took the opportunity.
