Some residents say they have been shut out of the public process for the Elora Mill redevelopment project, but officials with the township and the developer maintain the matter has been “transparent” from the start.
Residents Ian Rankine, Bob Jackson and Beverly Cairns are among those who have voiced their displeasure in recent weeks about the Pearle Hospitality development.
Their complaints, outlined in several emails to both the township and the Wellington Advertiser, are largely focused on development on the north side of the Grand River.
“The plans have certainly changed and will impact downtown Elora in new ways,” wrote Cairns, adding citizens “must be consulted before decisions are finally made that can effect the main heritage area of Elora, Mill Street.”
Rankine and Jackson have asked for a two-year moratorium on growth “until the township demonstrates how it intends to maintain the 19th century historic small town scale, character, atmosphere and quality of the urban areas – specifically in designated heritage areas.”
Rankine and Jackson say the moratorium would apply to “growth” by demolition, infill, intensification or re-development within both the Elora, Salem and Fergus urban areas until “heritage conservation resource master plans” are completed.
Regarding the Elora Mill, Rankine and Jackson contend both the north and south sides of the project be considered as one to determine “significant impacts to the heritage fabric.”
Joined by Cairns and several others, Jackson and Rankine said there were “numerous” opportunities for public comment on the south side of the project, “but there appears to be no opportunity for citizen engagement on the north side.”
That’s because different regulations apply to the two sides of the river, explained Pearle Hospitality project manager Brian Blackmere.
In a Dec. 14 telephone interview with the Advertiser, Blackmere said the south side part of the development required a rezoning and part of that process is a legislated public meeting.
The north side, however, does not involve a rezoning and therefore the only process there involving the public is the heritage component, Blackmere said.
He noted the balance of the process applies to the site plan, which was already submitted to the township.
“What we are doing complies with the zoning and complies with the official plan,” Blackmere stressed.
In a response to Rankine and others, Centre Wellington councillor Stephen Kitras stated Blackmere “made a presentation on future developments for the Mill side and the north side” at a recent township town hall meeting. Kitras wondered why the concerned residents were not in attendance.
As for heritage issues, Rankine accused Heritage Centre Wellington, staff and Mayor Kelly Linton of choosing “without justification” not to “list” on the Municipal Heritage Register the two heritage buildings in the mill proposal.
Linton said the municipality continues to work with its planners and the township’s official heritage group.
“Heritage Centre Wellington is our council-approved committee providing recommendations on all heritage matters,” Linton said in a statement to the Advertiser.
Rankine has suggested some citizens “are not happy” with certain elements of the proposal, including “the visual impact of the ‘glassboxed bridge.’”
Rankine said, “longtime residents legitimately fear the loss of the villageness/small town atmosphere, open space, nature [flowers, trees animals, smells, gorge], tranquility, remnant rural charm, simple beauty and loss of our only pre- and post- Confederation streetscapes.”
Blackmere however, says the plans reflect a balance between heritage and contemporary features.
“Our architects and our heritage architects both agree this is an absolutely correct approach. It is a blending of the old with the new,” he told the Advertiser.
Blackmere considered the Elora project as similar to work the company has completed at the Cambridge Mill – “and that turned out just fantastic.”
Rankine says any approval of Pearle plans must only happen “after the company provides a CAD-CAM model of the entire plan for the citizens which can be used to ensure that what is promised prior to the site plan phase is what happens in reality …”
To that, Blackmere simply replied “We will do what township staff or council require us to do.”
Rankine, Cairns, Jackson and a few others made several other requests regarding the mill proposal and heritage conservation, but Blackmere said this group is not an approval authority.
“We’re not under any delusion that we are going to make Mr. Rankine and his group happy,” said Blackmere.
“That’s not my goal … What I do want to do is to ensure this development is world class.”
Blackmere added he and other Pearle staff members are working with the township through administrative issues such as easements, rights-of-way and servicing.
“It’s not some subversive attempt at circumventing the process,” he said. “It is stuff we are required to do.”
Mayor Kelly Linton agreed.
“Pearle Hospitality will continue to be required to meet all of the township’s planning and permit requirements at every project phase,” he said in his email to the Wellington Advertiser.
“This has been, and will continue to be, a transparent process. Citizens will be informed at key planning milestones throughout the project’s lifecycle.
“Centre Wellington and Pearle Hospitality are working together in the exciting Elora Mill project.
“This project will reinvigorate the heritage Elora Mill Inn; rehabilitate an existing brownfield site and extend downtown Elora to the south side of the Grand River.
“This project represents millions of investment dollars and approximately 250 new full-time jobs.”
