Without public comment from the proponent, we can’t know for sure why a proposal to replicate a Wellings retirement community complex on Winners’ Circle Drive in Arnprior was withdrawn from consideration- just as Town Council was poised to approve two amendments that would have authorized it.
A process that can take as little as 90 days to complete had been 11 months in the making and involved multiple reports to elected representatives.
There were numerous exceptions from specific Town criteria being sought, but these, and the suggested remedies were addressed for Council in a report commissioned for the Town, and presented by Jamie Batchelor of J.L Richards and Associates on March 25th.
From that meeting:
Fotenn Planning and Design had submitted documents in favour of the concept advocated by Wellings of Arnprior, noting: “Wellings has over 30 years of experience building and managing retirement communities across Ontario, with examples of other successful developments established in Whitby, Picton, Waterford, Winchester, Stittsville, and Corunna, Ontario (near Sarnia).
Were the new dwelling units too pricey for Arnprior seniors wondered Mayor McGee at the time?
To resume discussion on the deferred matter at Arnprior’s Municipal Meeting April 8th, Chief Administrative Officer Robin Paquette advised elected members that Wellings had requested its application be withdrawn.
Paquette then suggested that all documentation relating to the file be received as information only.
Council will move forward with a Commercial Needs Assessment Study to avert possible similar delays, and the initiative will be funded from the Marketing and Economic Development Reserve– a unanimous decision.
By Rick Stow
