By Stephen Vance, Staff
On Monday July 27, at their final council meeting before their summer break in the month of August, Meaford councillors will consider two zoning amendments that have put those concerned with heritage preservation on high alert.
The zoning amendments would allow for an increase in the allowable height of buildings in the downtown core, and could pave the way for the demolition of a section of buildings on Sykes Street North.
“The amendments will increase the allowable height of several buildings on Sykes Street from four storeys to five storeys – 11 metres to 17 metres. This is an increase of 6 metres or 19.7 feet – more than 50%higher than is currently allowed. The amendments also set the stage for the demolition of half a block in the historic centre, from Simply Unique to the Fabric Shoppe,” warned members of Heritage Meaford, a branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, who are encouraging those concerned about the preservation of historic downtown buildings.
The buildings in question have been the topic of several public meetings and council debates in recent months, including a public meeting at Meaford Hall in February that attracted more than 150 concerned residents.
While Heritage Meaford stands firm in their desire to protect historic buildings, one business owner – and resident of one of the buildings took to Facebook in support of the proposed development.
“While I love our downtown, I do also wonder at what point do we all have to realize that this town is slowly dying,” posted Nancy Ellis, the owner of Simply Unique, which is located in one of the buildings proposed for demolition should the zoning amendments be approved by council. “If and when this goes through I not only lose my storefront, but also my home! The people that are so hell-bent against the BIG build should have bought these stores and invested some of their money into the buildings that are truly crumbling around us. These developers were the only ones willing to purchase these run down eye-sores. Now that they have a goal, who are we to say they can’t? They are willing to work with us…do their best to build with our input as to what the buildings will look like. Everyone who is digging in their feet YELLING NO, needs to step up and attend the meetings, learn what its all about and STOP the gossip without knowing the facts!”
While some residents are concerned about the potential loss of historic buildings, others are concerned about the impact the proposed demolition and development could have on other businesses in the downtown core.
In his report to council, Director of Building and Planning, Rob Armstrong noted that neighbouring business Stedman’s has expressed concern about access to their loading dock during construction.
“The owner of Stedman’s has provided a letter from his Solicitor noting a concern with potentially impeded access to his loading dock and affecting the access between the two buildings. Planning staff and the proponent have acknowledged this issue and note that it will be addressed as part of the Site Plan Approval stage. The proponent will be required to submit revised Site Plan drawings as part of the detailed Site Plan Approval process, that address a number of matters noted within this report,” said Armstrong in his report.
Another concern that has been expressed by some residents is the potential for an empty lot on Meaford’s main street for months or years to come, however Armstrong says in his report that the heritage permit process will help protect the municipality from such an outcome.
“The proponent had applied for a Heritage Permit to demolish the buildings and construct the new buildings. The intent was that Council could consider the Permit approval with the OPA/ZBA approval. Based on comments from the Peer Review Architect, this should be deferred until the proponent prepares the Conservation Plan as part of the Site Plan Approval process. In addition, the Municipality can ensure that the lands get rebuilt in a timely fashion as a condition of the Heritage Permit. Appropriate Securities will be included in the Site Plan Agreement that guarantees this requirement,” wrote Armstrong in his report.
Heritage Meaford members have suggested in a mass-email sent out this week that council approval of the zoning amendments would go against municipal planning policies, and they insist that the buildings can be saved rather than demolished.
“These changes are being recommended in order to allow a new development on Sykes Street, which incorporates underground parking. They go against ALL of the planning documents Meaford has prepared in the past 10 years, including the 6-month-old Heritage Conservation District Plan. If these amendments are approved, the precedent will nullify the Heritage Conservation District Plan. ALL of downtown will be at the whim of development,” wrote Heritage Meaford in their mass-email. “ACO Meaford, Meaford’s branch of the Architectural Conservancy Ontario, has consulted preservation architects and tradespeople. All have assured us that these buildings can and should be saved and incorporated into the new development – in accordance with Meaford’s Heritage Conservation District Plan.”
