WELLINGTON NORTH - Council approved a deferral request on an additional 16-unit, two-storey apartment building scheduled for Mount Forest.
The building is to be built on the vacant severed parcel beside St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at Foster Street.
The building will be adjacent to a 36-unit, four-storey apartment building that is currently being built beside the church.
Township staff has indicated concerns with the proposed severed parcel. There is a single point of access, entry and exit, with only a six metre entrance for safe emergency services access and utility servicing to the proposed severed parcel.
The apartment entrances need to have a two-way access with a minimum width of 7.2 metres, and a maximum of 12 metres.
Additionally, staff has concerns about the impact of a development of this size on the safe flow of pedestrian and vehicle traffic on Main Street North. This is a very busy street and the proposal is in close proximity to the Mount Forest fire station, operations facility and another apartment building currently under construction that will have tenants entering and exiting on Main Street North.
CAO Mike Givens noted that from a staff perspective, they are looking for the developers to pause and take some time to make sure to assess traffic impacts and pedestrian crossings; the recommended deferral of this application would afford the applicant an opportunity to address these concerns.
“We’re asking them to spend a little more time to acknowledge these needs and for us to acknowledge that the area is sufficient and serviceable for what they are proposing,” said Givens.
The deferral request will be taken to the county’s land division committee for consideration, pending further information. Council is only a commenting agent with regards to consent applications.
