Centre Wellington councillor Kelly Linton says there needs to be a study to determine whether the expansion of the Fergus library will have a negative impact on businesses in downtown Fergus.
On June 23 Linton filed a notice stating he intends to bring forward a motion on the issue at the July 2 meeting of council.
The notice states a fiscal impact assessment was not undertaken prior to Wellington County approving the Fergus library expansion project.
Linton referenced the county’s own official plan that states “council may require a fiscal impact assessment where a development proposal or proposals is so substantial that it may create negative impacts on existing commercial facilities to the extent that it threatens the existing commercial life of a traditional downtown or the planned function of other commercial areas.”
He added that Centre Wellington Township supported the library expansion “despite a petition that was presented to township council on May 16, 2013.”
That petition contained over 100 signatures from business and/or property owners within downtown Fergus opposed to the expansion.
Petitioners supported refurbishment of the library within its existing footprint along with the development of the riverfront landscape.
They also contended the loss of access and parking would have a negative impact on the downtown core.
In the motion, Linton states, “This demonstrated to township council that the Fergus business community had serious concerns about the potential negative impacts of this project on their businesses and properties.”
As a result, Linton wants Centre Wellington to partner with the county to hire an external consultant to conduct a fiscal impact assessment commencing six months after the completion of the library project. He stated a primary objective of the study will be to determine what, if any, actions should be taken by the township and/or the county to address the potential negative impacts of the expansion.
This is not the first time Linton has expressed concern with the project and the impact it could have on the downtown core, including the loss of roughly two dozen parking spaces adjacent to the downtown core.
The item was not discussed further at the June 23 meeting.
