ELORA – Pearle Hospitality (Elora South Inc.) wants to move ahead with its plan to develop land on the south side of the Grand River here and will be bringing an application for a zoning change to a public planning meeting on June 30.
The project received zoning bylaw amendment approvals in 2013 and 2020 regarding the built form of the project. Now the proponent is seeking a bylaw amendment to accommodate small, site-specific changes in the design as the process moves forward.
“Through this amendment, the balance of the subject lands will contain appropriate zoning to implement the Elora South Master Plan,” reads a planning justification report by Urban Solutions Planning and Development Consultants Inc. on behalf of the proponent.
The lands in question are between the south bank of the Grand River and Carlton Place and between Wellington Road 7 and Metcalfe Street. The plan for the eastern section includes construction of 79 residential units, 70 hotel suites, 438 parking spaces and the restoration of existing historic buildings on this once-industrial site.
Mayor Kelly Linton said the master plan was approved by council in 2013 and the main elements – a hotel, retail, commercial and residential space plus public access to river trails – remain in the application.
“The main purpose of this zoning amendment is to allow one more storey to each of the already-approved buildings,” Linton said in a phone interview.
“I’ve always supported this development; the former site was pretty ugly. And I have huge confidence with Pearle and its ability to build something amazing. Look what they’ve done at the mill.”
Pearle Hospitality purchased lands north of the Grand River, including the Elora Mill, in 2012 and the lands south of the river shortly thereafter.
The first phase of development included work to five properties around the Mill, which is now complete. The second phase includes construction of condo buildings and relocating the Potter Foundry on the west portion of the subject lands, which is underway.
The third phase, and the subject of this zoning amendment, is on the east portion of the irregular-shaped property.
Linton said the plan includes public trails and an enclosed pedestrian bridge over the river that will have public access.
“It’s privately-owned but we’ll make sure there is public access. There will be lots of trails that will be great for locals,” he said, adding that right now there is no access or views of the river from the south side.
The development will benefit tourism, and that’s important for Elora, Linton said. But it will also improve life for people who live here, and that’s the most important thing.
“We’ve spent millions of dollars in downtown Elora burying phone lines, at the park, on the walking bridge and Elora looks better than it ever has,” Linton said.
“It’s great to have a partner on this. There was always going to be development there.
“I’m happy that it’s Pearle doing this.”
Intensification, density
The public meeting is to discuss the zoning application and not the project as a whole because it has been approved for almost a decade, he said.
Linton expects council will hear comments about density and intensification.
“There is always sensitivity on height,” he said. “That’s why there’s a public meeting.
“For me, it boils down to, this isn’t a beautiful piece of property – but it will be.”
