One of the first acts of Wellington North’s new council was to allow the rezoning of a Mount Forest property to permit office space and a residential room for medical students at Louise Marshall Hospital.
The applicant, North Wellington Health Care, plans to convert a residence at the location so the first floor will house hospital administration offices, while the second level would become a three bedroom residential area.
Councillors themselves had no issues with the proposal, nor did county planner Mark Van Patter.
He noted the quarter acre property at the corner of Dublin and Martin streets was zoned residential R2, which predominantly allows residential use but also allows for schools, churches, medical clinics or professional offices.
“Given the proposed uses are residential and hospital related offices, it is my feeling that the proposal conforms to the official plan,” Van Patter said. He added the use directly supports the neighbouring hospital and the adjacent medical clinic property.
“As the proposed use is relatively low impact … it is my opinion that the new use will be compatible with the neighbourhood.”
Van Patter also said there appeared to be ample parking. Overall, he considered it a fairly simple zoning amendment from a planning point of view.
Residents Ken and Ann Babey had concerns with the proposal in terms of how it would affect traffic in the area.
In a letter directed to council, the Babeys stated “Our property is on a curve, which decreases visibility for traffic coming from both east and west on Martin and North Water Streets and now as well from the north out of the new housing development.
“At the time of the purchase of this property by the hospital foundation, Dublin Street was closed at the south end, preventing access to the hospital and clinic properties by both vehicle and walking. These conditions cause a concern for the safety of all using the road past our property on foot or wheeled vehicle.”
The Babeys wanted to see the municipality provide vehicular traffic and foot traffic access to the property, in addition to a safe sidewalk and bicycle path be installed from the end of Dublin to Martin Street.
Van Patter said the concerns raised are valid, “but I’m not so sure those concerns related directly to this application.” But, he believes they were good ideas. As for the potential increase in traffic, Van Patter said that is a result of general development of the area.
Council later passed a bylaw to allow the rezoning for the office and residential use.
