FERGUS – The developer and planner of a proposed five-storey apartment are adamant taller than usual buildings in the heritage area can fit in.
Eric Van Grootheest, developer of the proposed apartment at 350 St. Andrew St. W beside Melville United Church, along with planning consultants from MHBC held a neighbourhood information meeting Wednesday evening on the planned building.
They explained the building is intended to have ground-floor commercial with 36-units on the upper floors intended to hit a more attainable-rental market at an average of $1,250 per month for rent.
Pierre Chauvin, from MHBC planning, said this type of rental is scarce in the Centre Wellington with rental vacancy well below what is considered a healthy rate at 3 per cent.
This development is intended to help fill that gap, however he said being able to hit this market rate does require building higher than zoning allows for in the central business district, which allows for three-storeys or 35 feet.
They’re asking for 57 feet.
“It’s not a cash grab, it’s about providing attainable housing that is accessible, modern, well maintained and is desperately needed in the community,” Chauvin said.
“The cost of land and construction nowadays warrants the need to build higher in order to make these things more economical.”
While the building at its max hits the five-storey mark, Chauvin said a majority of the building is four-storeys. The site plan also sets back the building from the front of the street to less obstruct the view of the church beside it.
He acknowledged the height has become the hot button issue with the building among some residents but he said tall buildings aren’t a new concept in Centre Wellington.
He noted the mills in Elora and Fergus are tall heritage buildings and because of the grade change towards the Grand River in Downtown Fergus a lot of the building have a “four to five storey mass.”
“To me, the height does will not or take-away from the character of Fergus in any way or even Elora for that matter,” Chauvin said.
In fact, Chauvin said in his opinion this building will enhance the area as Van Grootheest has planned a vibrant building geared towards single people in a walkable area downtown.
Van Grootheest said he envisioned the building to have small units but lots of common space to create a community amongst the residents.
“There’s a horrendous need for single people to have a place but they’re forced to pay 15, 16, $1,700 a month and have room that they don’t need,” Van Grootheest said.
“I think when you have a single lifestyle, the idea of having more of a community-minded building is something I think I would like and that’s why I thought we would try this.”
A public meeting with the township to discuss the proposed zoning change is still to be scheduled.
