Health was a main priority for a number of vocal residents regarding a proposed medical clinic on 28 Brock Road North in Aberfoyle.
Earlier this year, council held a meeting where Dr. Nipun Madan presented his proposal.
However, the July 18 session was a chance for members of the public to have a say.
Mayor Dennis Lever stressed Madan’s presentation would be directed to the public gallery.
The proposal would rezone a portion of the subject land to an appropriate zone category to permit the establishment of a medical office.
The existing natural environment zone would not change.
Madan is currently a family doctor in Guelph, who lives in Aberfoyle which is why he hoped to open a medical office here.
Although currently a residential property, its current zoning is agricultural in the front and natural environment in the back.
“Our hope is to rezone the portion which is currently agricultural to a commercial zoning.”
He stressed the majority of renovations are inside the building.
He added there might be new windows, siding, and additional parking.
Madan said there were discussions with the county about safety of parking and access to Brock Road.
“We’re working closely with everyone.”
Though the building size is not changing, Madan said there is a requirement for parking.
“We’re trying to do that with as little impact as possible.”
He stated the entrance laneway will be on Brock Road, but the parking will be at the back.
Madan noted “almost all of our hours are daytime hours. The property would have very little use on weekends or in the evening.”
He said that if there was any impact, it would be that the building would appear nicer and fresher when the outside façade work is complete.
Planner Aldo Salis noted the property is within the designated urban boundary of Aberfoyle and noted as residential.
What the bylaw would do, is enshrine those changes such as the parking and side yards to ensure the existing trees are maintained and the scale and size of the building is capped as well.
Neighbour Judy Krist lives across the road from the Madan property.
“We’ve been told that Brock Road is going to be increased to four lanes all the way to the 401.”
For a property with minimal frontage, Krist was concerned there would be even less once the widening happens.
Krist also wanted to know if the large trees on Madan’s property would remain since they are sizeable, mature, heritage trees.
Madan said none of the big trees at the front of the property were being removed to create the lane to the parking lot at the back of the building.
He noted the largest tree, near the property line, is not actually part of his property at 28 Brock Road.
Krist also wanted to know how far the parking would be from the creek because of the potential impact of gasoline and other runoff.
Madan said the conservation authority had commented on the plan and stated there was no impact.
He added the plan shows eight parking spaces, to serve both staff and patients.
While Salis agreed there is a proposed widening of Brock Road it would be on the road allowance only and not impact the Madan property.
Salis added the site plan before the public is not an approved document, but prepared by the proponent to address concerns staff had raised.
Salis added that while the site plan shows eight parking spaces, only four are required.
“We certainly don’t want to lose a tree to a parking space,” Salis said.
When asked if he would guarantee all the trees near the property line would remain intact, Madan said efforts would take place to protect the trees.
He added that he was willing to bring in an arborist to create a tree protection zone.
“We really do want to preserve the trees. We are working there too. It’s part of the value of the property to us.”
Bev Wozniak questioned whether Madan would be moving his entire Harvard Road (Guelph) practice to this site.
Lever was uncertain the question was valid for the purpose of the night’s meeting.
Wozniak contended if the entire practice moved, there would be considerably more traffic.
Her concern was with the proposed number of staff and patients, there might not be enough parking.
Madan said the staff would use three spots while the patients would use the remaining five.
He pointed out that if they are seeing nine patients a day, then the remaining parking space represents one-half day’s worth of clients.
“If we really needed, there is lots of space to add more parking.”
Wozniak asked what would happen if more staff is needed.
Madan pointed out the bylaw as proposed, limits the size of the building.
“The main floor is only as big as it is.”
Al Krist had concerns with the number of patients which he said could potentially lead to a lot of traffic entering and exiting to Brock Road.
He said one issue that needs to be clear is the volume of traffic on Brock Road itself.
“When I come home from work in Guelph and have to make a left hand turn to get into my driveway, everybody flies past me at 80km/h on the shoulder of the road.”
He said there will be a point where a patient pulls out and doesn’t know traffic is passing to the right.
“You’re going to have someone dead on your front step. I can guarantee that will happen,” Kirst said.
“It is a very dangerous spot to have a high volume of traffic making turns.”
Madan said he cannot change the road, but he can change the parking on his property.
He said the current arrangement means cars leaving the property are going front first.
He said the most he can do is to ensure those leaving the property have visibility on both side. “Beyond that, I’d love to see a middle lane, so it would be easier to turn. I think we’ve done what we can do to ensure our patients can leave safely.”
He added one of the reasons the parking lot at the back of the building was proposed, was to ensure people do not park their cars at the side of the road.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt said that from his viewpoint, the issues were addressed to his satisfaction.
“I believe the facility will be a positive resource to the township.”
Councillor Susan Fielding also believed any of the concerns relating to the property can be easily met.
Council later adopted the proposed change.
