Plans to create ground floor apartments in a building in Palmerston’s downtown core raised a number of questions at a public meeting on April 15.
Ed and Sandra Pinkse are seeking an official plan amendment that would change the designation on 107 William Street from Central Business District to Residential Transition.
The change would allow residential, as well as non-retail commercial uses. Presently, the building contains apartments on the upper floor and a bakery operation on a portion of the lower floor. About two-thirds of the lower floor is vacant.
Because the application involves removing storefront commercial uses from the Central Commercial Zone, members of the Palmerston Downtown Revitalization Committee commented on the application.
“While the members sympathize with the applicant because part of the building has been vacant for two years, and there is a demand for affordable apartment units in Palmerston, there is a concern with the loss of usable commercial space, particularly with a viable business occupying the space. There is concern this application sets precedent,” stated clerk’s assistant Peg Schieck in a report presented at the public meeting.
However Mark Van Patter, Wellington County’s manager of planning and environment, suggested the Central Business District designation under the official plan may cover too large an area in Palmerston.
The designation covers properties on James Street, William Street and Bell Street, in addition to Main Street.
“While seemingly minor, this is a difficult application. The applicant wants to have residential at street level in the Central Business District,” said Van Patter in his report.
“I would not support such an amendment on Main Street, but William Street may be less important.”
Van Patter suggested if council is supportive of the application, consideration should be given to creating a Main Street Mixed Use 2 zone, which would allow for residential use as well as retail commercial use.
“This would allow for conversion back to commercial if ever needed,” he explained.
Ed Pinkse noted there doesn’t seem to be a lack of available commercial space in downtown Palmerston.
“On the Main Street alone there’s five or six buildings for rent,” he pointed out.
The applicants noted it was becoming increasingly difficult to get insurance on a largely vacant downtown building.
“We’re concerned that it’s getting harder to get that insurance on these buildings, and what do you do with them?” said Sandra Pinkse, adding the town’s economic and business plans aren’t helping them fill their building.
“That’s not really helping the fact that there’s nothing in there and there’s been nothing in there for several years,” she pointed out.
She noted the building would be completely renovated and the ground floor apartments would provide accessibility for seniors or disabled residents in close proximity to central services.
“That’s what we’re looking at for a target market,” she said.
Ed Pinkse said there is no intention to ask the bakery to close or relocate.
“This just gives us the option of putting apartments there,” he said.
Van Patter pointed out there are three nearby residential properties on William Street, including a townhouse at 121 William, next door to the Pinkses’ building.
CAO Bill White said further reports on the application from staff and the county planning department would be provided at a future council meeting.
