Carleton Place council’s committee of the whole received a presentation from Joanna Bowes, Manager of Development Services on an application to build a 3-storey apartment building at 31 Townline Road West (the former home of Berry’s Pet Foods). Bowes and Alison Sterling (representing the applicant, Marchurst Development Group) explained that the first level would be reserved for parking, a meeting room, and space for garbage/recycling while the second and third level would house 14 rental apartments ranging in size from 600-800 square feet. Plans included room for 21 parking spots with 12 inside and the remaining 9 in the rear yard.  The developer was requesting relief from a planning regulation that calls for 20% of rear yard space to be green. With the 9 parking spots, they only had room for 8% green space.

Bowes indicated her office had received many comments on the application and a local resident appeared at the meeting to air concerns about noise and vehicle lighting pouring into the neighbouring yards to the rear of the property. Bowes indicated that an 8’ privacy fend along with multiple trees would be required as part of the application to mitigate these issues.  After many questions from committee members the application was green-lighted with instructions for Bowes to work with the developer to try to minimize outdoor parking areas to maximize green cover.

Article by Brian Turner