ROCKWOOD - Guelph/Eramosa council has approved a site plan application for an eight-unit apartment building in Rockwood.
At Monday’s meeting, council approved the site plan application in principle for an eight-unit apartment building at 150 Alma St. Council also delegated the final approval of the plans, drawings, and site plan agreement to township CAO Ian Roger.
The proposed site consists of an eight-unit apartment building which is 11 metres in height with 14 parking stalls that includes two visitor parking spaces and two accessible parking spaces.
“The intent of the site plan application that was submitted is to essentially redevelop the site by removing the single family dwelling and construct an eight-unit apartment building that will be two and a half storeys in height,” said Meagan Ferris, county’s manager of planning and environment.
Ferris noted the proposal complies within the applicable zoning regulations and standards, including lot area, frontage, setbacks, landscape and parking requirements.
“This application has been through extensive review with internal and external commenting agencies. The proposal, in terms of the use itself, is permitted within the county’s official plan and an apartment dwelling is a permitted use on this property. It also meets all the required provisions of the bylaw,” Ferris explained.
“At this time all of the commenting agencies are generally in support of this application and the overall site plan itself, there’s just some minor adjustments that are needed before final approval is achieved.”
The application has been reviewed by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO); Grand River Conservation Authority; Union Gas; emergency services and the fire department; the township’s consulting engineer, R.J. Burnside; and the chief building official.
Ferris further noted there were no objections to the application and all the necessary permits from the MTO and building permits were obtained.
Council was satisfied with the application as the development is only two and a half storeys in height and would suit the township’s aesthetic.
“It checks all the boxes in terms of immediate relief. The fact that they have MTO approval already is no small thing. It’s adding eight more units to Rockwood and I think that’s a good thing. Housing is a serious issue everywhere. This small way helps with the lack of housing,” said Coun. Mark Bouwmeester.
The rest of council echoed Bouwmeester’s remarks on the housing crisis and thought the apartment building would help with the lack of housing the township is seeing.
