Lori Chadwick, Director, Development Services advised that the purpose of this meeting was to hear from the public in regards to the merits and concerns related to the application for a site specific rezoning application on the property located at 96 County Road 50 West. Ms. Chadwick explained that the Colchester Secondary Plan establishes a cohesive vision and planning framework for the area for balanced and sustainable future growth. This property is a vacant municipal-owned land currently used for overflow parking and provides access to municipal water, sanitary, and storm sewers along County Road 50 and Dunn Road.
Ms. Chadwick stated that the rezoning application is to permit a two-story motel with twenty-eight guestrooms and noted that the zoning will remain R3.1 with the Motel as an additional permitted land use. The operators are the proprietors of the Grove Hotel in Kingsville and future plans for the motel include on-site parking, a café, and indoor bicycle storage facilities.
Ms. Chadwick noted concerns from residents such as increases in traffic, lack of public parking, loss of green space, loss of residential opportunity, strain on municipal infrastructure, loss of lake views, noise generation, and architectural style. She explained that studies were submitted for the photometric plan, landscaping plan, stormwater management, functional servicing report, and traffic memorandum. Ms. Chadwick also mentioned that this plan had been circulated to ERCA, Essex Fire and Rescue Services, Enbridge Gas, and the Essex Accessibility Advisory Committee with no objections.
Ms. Chadwick stated that the Zoning By-Law Amendment will be prepared for Council's consideration at the June 21, 2021 Regular Meeting and directed questions from Council.
Councillor Garon asked how many parking spaces will be removed.
Doug Sweet, Director, Community Services/Deputy CAO, stated that currently there are 9 municipal parking lots with 333 parking spaces within the parking lots. Mr. Sweet advised that the removal of this lot will result in 297 parking spaces with 275 spaces being open to the public.
Councillor Vander Doelen asked if any of the trees from the property could be transplanted to another area.
Ms. Chadwick noted that many trees could be saved depending on the life span and the condition of the tree.
Deputy Mayor Meloche asked how many regular events take place that require all the parking spaces.
Mr. Sweet stated that based on the past few years there has been the Annual Fishing Derby, Colchester Family Fun Day and some smaller events such as Monday night concerts.
Deputy Mayor Meloche asked if we would be able to continue to use the parking lot on County Road 50 next to this property.
Mr. Sweet stated the property that Deputy Mayor Meloche is referring to continues to be used as additional parking for the Town.
Mayor Snively noted that many people attend the fishing derby but there are shuttles.