Minto approves changes to proposed Palmerston apartment building
MINTO – A proposed mixed-use apartment building in Palmerston moved one step closer to construction after Minto council approved a minor variance during its July 14 committee of adjustment meeting.
The approval means more of the building’s ground floor can be used for apartments than what is permitted under the town’s zoning bylaw.
The four-storey development is planned for 475 Main St. E. and will include commercial space at street level with 36 apartments above and behind it.
The project was originally approved in 2025 with plans for a larger building containing 58 apartments.
However, the developer has since revised the proposal because of financial constraints, reducing both the size of the building and the number of units.
Planning coordinator Sama Haghighi told council the updated design reduces the building from about 15,400 square feet to just under 9,300 square feet, while decreasing the number of apartments from 58 to 36.
Because the redesign places more residential space at the rear of the ground floor, a minor variance was required. The zoning bylaw normally allows up to 49 per cent of that area to be used for residential purposes, while the revised plan increases it to 57%.
Staff recommended approval, stating the application met the four tests required under Ontario’s Planning Act and remained consistent with the intent of the town’s zoning bylaw and Wellington County’s official plan.
The revised site plan also includes additional parking, an indoor common room for residents and a proposed outdoor pickleball court.
The application was reviewed by Wellington County, Wellington Source Water Protection and the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority. No one objected to the proposal, though Wellington Source Water Protection stated in a letter that a risk management plan will be required before a building permit is issued because the property is located within a vulnerable wellhead protection area.
The town’s committee of adjustment approved the application unanimously.
Following the vote, Mayor Dave Turton said he was pleased to see the project continuing to move forward.
Terry Kuipers, director of building and planning services, added, “I’m glad it’s starting to progress.”
