The Saugeen Shores Planning Advisory Committee has deferred an application until more information is received.
Over 40 people came to last night’s Saugeen Shores Planning Advisory Committee meeting for a hearing on a zoning application at the former Paddington Daycare Centre on Goderich Street.
The owner — Elizabeth Wells — wants to convert the building into 9 rental units specifically for workers at Bruce Nuclear.
However, residents living near the proposed site have signed a petition opposing the re-zoning of the property and that was handed over to PAC at the meeting.
Some of the concerns raised by the residents include noise, property standards, traffic, and parking.
They also are concerned about the kind of people who will be living there and how the boarding house would affect their property values.
The committee decided to defer the application until staff can provide more information.
Resident John Byle — who operates a bed and breakfast next door to the site — says the deferral raises concerns of bending some rules to accommodate the applicant.
He would like to see the Town develop a set of guidelines for rooming houses or boarding houses that applies to the entire town.
Planning Consultant Ron Davidson — who is representing Wells at the meeting — says he is disappointed about the deferral.
He says the application met all the requirements of the planning act, demonstrate compliance with the Provincial Policy Statement, and the Bruce County Official Plan.
Davidson says the boarding house would be situated in a neighbourhood where there are mixed developments including businesses and temporary accommodations in a high-traffic area.
He says in his mind the site is suitable for a boarding house.
