FERGUS – Centre Wellington council has approved a zoning application permitting a 100-unit apartment building here that could be up to six storeys tall.
The application was approved during a regular meeting of council on July 31.
The property, at 77 McQueen Blvd. in south Fergus, was formerly approved for a retirement home with an estimated capacity of 150 people.
The proposed apartment building would accommodate about 173 people.
The site is owned by Westminster Hills Ltd. and the building will be part of the Westminster Highlands development.
For the site to be used for an apartment building instead of a retirement home, the zoning bylaw needed to change from institutional to residential.
No objections were made during a public meeting regarding the application on May 31.
GM BluePlan and Triton Engineering concluded increased population could be accommodated by the sanitary sewer capacity, water supply reserve capacity, and wastewater treatment system.
The application was initially for a four-storey building, but it was suggested during the public meeting that the maximum height be increased to six storeys, or 22.5 metres, in order to reduce the building’s footprint.
During the July meeting, councillor Lisa MacDonald asked what the incentives are for Centre Wellington to approve a six-storey building instead of four storeys.
One benefit is that if the building is five or more storeys, the township will be eligible to adopt a community benefits charge and collect a one-time charge from the developer of up to four per cent of the value of the land.
This charge could cover the costs of public amenities and assets such as parking.
Councillor Jennifer Adams expressed concern about setting a precedent for six-storey buildings in Fergus, and asked whether the funds collected from the community benefits charges would go to the neighbourhood where the site is located.
Centre Wellington staff have not yet done the research to be able to answer Adams’ question.
Council followed the recommendation from township staff to approve the zoning amendment, with a maximum of 100 units and maximum building height of six storeys or 22.5 metres.
Township staff and councillors concluded the discussion about the amendment took place in an open public forum and no further public consultation is required.
