Delegation Letter regarding 1720 Wilfert Road

Re: 1720 Wilfert Road

Dear Mayor and Council,

1720 Wilfert Road is currently zoned C-7 Business Park Commercial Zone. In 2018, a Development Permit application was made for a mixed-use development that included Commercial, Apartment and a Hotel use in accordance with that zone. While Council was presented with this application, the proponent of the day (a potential purchaser) elected not to proceed.

Bylaw 1057 was approved November 4, 2020 to remove “Mixed Commercial and Residential Use” from the C-7 zone.

The owner of the land would like to proceed with a Mixed Use commercial and residential development. This would require a re-zoning back to the previous C-7 permitted uses (or perhaps a new zone to suit). The property is located outside the Community Corridor designated area and is identified as Neighborhood Mixed Use in the OCP.

We are approaching Committee today to understand if it would be acceptable apply to re-zone to reinstate the mixed residential and commercial use. The location adjacent to the casino, off the main street, and with the backdrop of Millstream Creek, is a very attractive location for a multi family residential development. The proximity of transit, recreation, and shopping support residential use. While the location behind the casino does not provide the necessary exposure for full commercial development, there is an opportunity to include private offices on this property.

Of course we understand that Council will weigh the merits of an application at the time, but we thought that it would be prudent to ask if an application would be appropriate given the recent change to the C-7 designation, before we expend staff and Council’s time.

Thank you for your consideration.

Rachael Sansom A.Sc.T Agent for Brian Baker, owner 1720 Wilfert Road