ELORA – Very soon the public will get to weigh in on whether to allow residential development on lands zoned C2 highway commercial.
As council grapples with provincially-mandated growth targets and a shortage of attainable housing options, changing the highway commercial zoning was seen as low hanging fruit by the Healthy Growth Advisory Committee tasked with exploring ways to streamline development in the township.
“These are often underutilized sites and prime candidates for intensification,” senior planner Mariana Iglesias told council at its May 24 committee of the whole meeting.
There are a few C2 zones in Fergus and Elora, primarily along Wellington Roads 7 and 18 in Elora, on Tower Street South (Highway 6) in south Fergus and on St. David Street North (Highway 6) in the north end of Fergus.
The proposed zoning will not impact the central business district areas in the two downtowns.
Iglesias said currently regulations do allow for residential uses above commercial uses in these zones, but the proposed changes will allow these developments to go higher – from three to five storeys – and will also allow for ground-floor residential if it faces away from the main street.
“Step backs will be required in the building facades facing a street or adjacent to low density residential zones for any floors above the third storey,” states Iglesias’ report.
“This should help mitigate potential impacts on adjacent properties as a result of height, shadows and massing.”
Sites in highway commercial zones generally have ample parking, are on key transportation corridors, and are close to shopping for residents.
Council supported the recommendation to hold a public meeting on the matter. Staff will arrange the meeting and will return to council with a report and final draft of the amended zoning bylaw for approval.
