PERTH — A plan to rezone 2000 Rogers Road from industrial use to a business park drew pushback from neighbouring residents at a public meeting in Perth on Aug. 12.
“Our biggest concern is that the owners [of the property] who live on our street as well, would not clear that area and bring the parking lot or bring the building right up to our lot lines, but we don’t know what will happen in the future,” said Kyle Troop, a Hughes Crescent resident.
The concern stems from the fact that the current owners are seeking official plan and zoning amendments with the intent of selling the property to a developer. That developer is interested in turning the existing building into a business park.
“Any ownership change that occurs, the new owner can propose anything they want and choose to demolish if they want,” said Joanna Bowes, director of Development Services for the Town of Perth.
The proposed C5 zoning would permit a wide range of commercial uses, such as a bakery, microbrewery, café, clinic, retail store or community space, along with class one light industrial operations. It does not allow big box stores.
“The proposal is to make it a business commercial site which actually is a vast improvement, because it’s adjacent to a subdivision, so it makes a lot of sense for this particular site to transform from Industrial to a business/commercial that still allows light industrial,” Bowes told the gathering.
Council members were receptive to the change while acknowledging residents’ concerns.
“I empathize with the concerns, but any future changes will be dealt with at that time and there will be an opportunity for the public to present their concerns at that time. I understand your concerns but support this application as it stands,” said Coun. Gary Waterfield.
The rezoning would also change setback and buffer requirements. Currently, a treed area separates the building from neighbouring homes, but that buffer is not formally protected.
“I urge you to be very considerate of the people that live there, that we find some way to prevent the loss of all the trees, because that’s why we all bought there,” Troop said.
Bowes clarified that contrary to residents’ understanding, there is no buffer zone in the subdivision agreement.
“I can find no record of a buffer zone between the property in question – 2000 Rogers Rd – and the subdivision,” she said, adding the only clause requires the developer to maintain a one-foot reserve that cannot be crossed for further development.
Under C5 zoning, buildings next to a subdivision must be set back at least six metres, plus one metre for each storey above two, with a minimum of 10 metres from an existing dwelling.
The applicant has submitted renderings that include landscaping, but Bowes noted they are not binding.
“The artist renderings were completed by the applicant. When the property is purchased it would be possible through a site plan control agreement for those renderings to change,” she said.
Refurbishing the existing building may be a more attractive option for a developer. Regardless of future changes, Bowes stressed that any development must comply with the town’s official plan and zoning by-laws, and go through all required planning and construction approvals.
