CENTRE WELLINGTON – Two contentious apartment buildings proposed in Downtown Elora and Fergus subject to lengthy debate in the community have been given the approval of township staff.
Centre Wellington council will consider approving the rezoning requests at a meeting on Monday starting at 1 p.m.
Centre Wellington staff are recommending council approve rezoning applications that would pave the way for two four-storey mixed-use apartment buildings at 350 St. Andrew St. W. in Fergus and 175-183 Geddes St. in Elora. Current zoning doesn't allow a mixed use building to be built above three storeys in the downtown areas.
Both are planned to have ground floor commercial space with rental units in the upper floors.
The Fergus building would replace an existing vacant building next to Melville United Church and have a mix of bachelor, one and two bedroom units with a price range proposed from $1,080 to $2,100 depending on the size. The development would have 21 parking spaces behind the building and includes indoor bicycle storage.
The Elora building would be incorporated into the existing Connon Block with the demolition of the Elora Cafe and Kitras Art Glass building. Proposed is 19 rental units with a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments. This is part of a larger development with a three-storey 12-unit building already approved on Moir Street around the corner. Combined, this development has 31 parking spaces.
In two reports, part of Monday’s Centre Wellington council meeting package, staff conclude these proposals are consistent with provincial, county and township policies to encourage growth in existing urban centres and provide rental units within downtown areas.
These applications were the subject of a lengthy public meeting which saw dozens of delegates debate the merits of the buildings. While there were some supporters of creating new rental buildings, many expressed concern over the impact increased height would have on the character of the downtown areas and how parking would be affected in the area from an increase in residents.
In the reports, township planner Mariana Iglesias wrote an increase to four storeys is necessary to include an elevator and the impact to the streetscape is not significant enough to warrant the loss of potential rental units that could be built in a sympathetic manner to match the character of the area.
Ultimately, in both reports Iglesias stated adding residential and commercial units in Downtown Fergus and Elora “ will increase its vibrancy while helping solve the housing supply issue.”