Centre Wellington council at its meeting on March 5 was unanimous in its decision to grant a zone change that will see a duplex built at the corner of Colborne and Melville Streets here.
Planner Brett Salmon said in his report to council the semi-detached home will replace a single family dwelling that was recently demolished and that required a change in zoning.
Council held a public meeting in November and received one objection.
Salmon said the township planning department has no objections to the plan and had received correspondence from two neighbours who indicated they have no objections.
He added Heritage Centre Wellington received all the information and has no comment on the proposal.
Salmon said the land is within an urban centre in the county official plan. He said urban centres are expected to provide a broad range of residential uses at densities appropriate to the service and nature of the community, and residential intensification is to be encouraged and promoted in all urban areas.
Salmon said the proposed dwelling is compatible in size, scale and character to surrounding buildings, and noted there is a multi-residential building directly across Melville Street and the subject land, and another apartment building beside that building.
“There are no protected heritage properties adjacent to the subject land,” he added.
Zettel Contracting Ltd., the developer, sent a report to council stating it is planning to build a 4,000 square foot building on the vacant lot.
Company president Lewis Zettel said in his letter the units would be built to exceed current building and energy efficiency code requirements, and “the exteriors were designed to blend into the historical characteristics of the area; stone and brick cladding will cover over 70% of the exterior facade with the balance finished in a combination of cedar shake and board and batten pre-finished siding.”
He added the company plans to retain many of the existing trees and the landscaping plan will include flower beds, outdoor living areas and an abundance of green space.
The lone objector had complained about the building being torn down for heritage reasons. Salmon noted the site is “on the edge” of the heritage area and “heritage area is broadly defined.”
He added Colborne Street “has developed over time as a bit of a corridor for more semi-detached.”
Councillor Mary Lloyd thanked Salmon for providing a context for the heritage area, as well as the pictures of other homes in the adjacent area.
Council approved the zone change unanimously.
