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Kincardine council, in planning advisory committee, has approved
a rezoning which means a local developer can convert the old Tracy's
Bar and Grill, behind Darcie's Variety, into apartments on the
corner of Walsh and Russell Streets.
Bruce County planner Bruce Stickney said the property is zoned
'local commercial special' which does not permit residential uses.
For years, the building housed a restaurant and convenience store,
but the restaurant portion has been vacant for some time.
Applicant Tom Kerr Heating and Air Conditioning Ltd. wants to create
four apartments in the north portion, leaving the convenience store
for as long as Darcie's remains there. Once it ceases to be a store,
that part of the building would also be converted into apartments.
Deputy mayor Laura Haight asked Stickney if the planning department
had considered splitting the zoning to keep the convenience store as
'local commercial special'.
"There's no problem with the convenience store remaining in the
residential zone," said Stickney. "It is a non-conforming use and
always was because the area was designated residential. If the
variety store ceases operation, then that part of the building will
be available for residential development."
He agreed with Haight that, historically, there has been a benefit
in maintaining the commercial and residential uses in a
neighbourhood. "However, the owner has had trouble keeping
commercial in that building," Stickney said. "Without sufficient
population density in the neighbourhood, you can't maintain
commercial uses."
Councillor Guy Anderson agreed with the planner. "The way this is
proposed is good planning," he said. "Change it to residential and
allow the commercial there until it ceases."
Council agreed. (next column)
24/03/2009 10:08 PM
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- In other planning business, council approved three amendments to
the zoning bylaw to facilitate the severance of surplus farm
residences.
The first was for MacGillivray Farms Inc., on Lot 19, Concession 11,
former Bruce Township, known as 694 Concession 10; the second was
for Rod MacGillivray at Lot 20, Concession 11, former Bruce
Township, 664 Concession 10; and the third was for Heather and Mark
Porter, c/o Ron Davidson, at Lot 14, Concession 14, former Bruce
Township, 1223 Bruce-Saugeen Townline.
Councillor Kenneth Craig reiterated his concern about allowing rural
farm severances. "I don't believe they are a good idea," he said.
"What do you do in the future when you have a farm you can't put a
house on?"
- In committee-of-the-whole, council agreed to reimburse $4,300 to
a homeowner who built a new house in Underwood 18 months ago, and
paid the water charge, plus the $300 to the capital fund. Since
then, council has agreed to cover the deficit for the Underwood and
Scott's Point water systems through the Ward 3 roads and bridges
reserve. "This homeowner should be treated the same as everybody
else," said deputy mayor Laura Haight. "Pay them back the $4,300 and
that money comes from the Ward 3 reserve."
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