Condo concerns in Port Elgin
March 9th, 2007 - Category: Condo, Real EstateFuture developments along the Port Elgin beach were on the minds of local residents.
About 40 people packed the Saugeen Shores council chambers last night for a Planning and Advisory Committee meeting.
The main issue was an amendment to an official plan and zoning by-law for the construction of a five-storey, 20-unit condominium next to the beach.
Local developers Peter Schmaltz and Pierre Donnini were also at the meeting to make presentations.
Both want to see the by-law changed to allow for the property to be used for residential means.
The current zoning by-law allows for development of a business.
Schmaltz says the property could not sustain a number of business operations in the past and wants to try making it work as a residential unit.
Donnini says the condo would improve the look of the beach and be a first step of an entire overhaul of the waterfront.
However, a majority who attended the meeting voiced their concerns about the proposed complex.
Some of those concerns include: the building possibly blocking the view of the lake and sunlight, increase neighbourhood traffic, noise, and the quality of life along the beach.
The committee has delayed making a decision on the project until the next public meeting on April 5th.
Chair Diane Huber says the decision is being put off because there was a lot of information presented and the committee needs more time to look it over.
She says the application is dramatically different than anything that has come before the committee.
She says this proposed condominium will definitely change the look of the beach.
Huber says the residents living around the proposed condo do have legitimate concerns that need to be looked at.
Information from: www.radioowensound.com
