FERGUS – A proposed development which has been in the works since 2019 failed to get the green light at last night’s Centre Wellington Committee of the Whole meeting.
Township Managing Director of Planning and Development Brett Salmon presented the five-storey mixed use apartment building to council for approval, but many including councillors Barb Evoy and Lisa MacDonald were opposed to moving forward.
Both were seeking more current public input on the 820 St. David Street North development that was originally presented as a six storey retirement residence in a 2018 application.
Mayor Shawn Watters stated to council “this is what intensification looks like.” Nonetheless, he said he was sympathetic towards newer members of council and their concerns.
Watters said he is willing to offer the community a chance for more feedback on a development that was originally presented to council before the pandemic.
Watters and Councillor Denis Craddock originally voiced fewer concerns than others. Evoy and MacDonald shared several woes including worries over safety.
Craddock was the lone opposition to the amendment that will see council re-evaluate the development at a later date and seek more public input.
