Demolition of the former Meaford Community School will soon begin after Council approved the site plan agreement for the Cook Street property at their February 1 meeting. Construction on a 128-bed long term care facility is scheduled to begin next month.
Construction of the new two-storey, 128-bed long term care facility is anticipated to last 18 months to two years. Long term, and yet to be approved, plans for the 6.32 acre property include a retirement home and seniors’ apartment building and townhouses following a ‘campus of care’ model that would allow a couple with differing care needs to live at the same location. The building will include a courtyard intended for use as a secure and enclosed private amenity space for residents.
As noted in a previous report to Council, “The intent of a site plan agreement is to ensure that any proposed development is designed to be compatible with adjacent development, appropriately serviced and accessed, and otherwise in conformity with the goals and strategic objectives of the Official Plan.”
In an effort to minimize the impact of regular activity on the property once construction is complete, the site plan agreement recommends board and batten privacy fence rather than the current chain-link fence.
“Unlike the school, the proposed Long Term Care home is shown to be as close as 5m (zoning requires 4.5m) from neighbouring residential rear lot lines. It is recommended that rather than chain link fence, the boundary fence with neighbouring existing residential properties be required to be constructed as a solid board and batten privacy fence with a maximum height of 1.8 metres,” staff advised Council. Additionally, “the landscape plan proposes a mix of coniferous and deciduous tree planting within the north and west yards and on both sides of the Thompson Street driveway as well as a variety of shrubs, ornamental grasses and perennials.”
Members of Council were pleased to see the project moving forward.
“This is a very, very important development,” Councillor Ross Kentner noted during Council’s discussion of the site plan agreement.
Mayor Barb Clumpus agreed. “Very exciting news,” Clumpus told Council.
Council voted unanimously in favour of approving the site plan agreement, allowing the project to move forward.
