Public and council updated on Schomberg retirement community proposal
By Bill Rea

A few concerns are to be addressed before the latest retirement community proposal for Schomberg is realized.

Bowes Retirement Development is looking at putting in a 126-unit complex of the south side of Church Street, on land that runs behind St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Township planners updated council on the proposal for the purposes of a recent public information meeting on the issue. Councillors accepted the staff recommendation to refer the whole issue, including the input received at the meeting, back to them for a report.

The proposed development, which will require both a rezoning and amendment to the Township Official Plan, calls for 55 studio units, 63 onebedroom apartments and eight units with two bedrooms. The planned building will have five storeys with a walk-out basement. Planners also reported the top floor will be integrated into the slope of the roof to limit the visual impression of height, and there will be a roof garden. The facility is to be accessed by a private road running off Church Street.

The building is slated for an approximately 4.23-acre property which is currently vacant, but with used to contain an alfalfa operation.

Planners said there had been a previous proposal for a seniors' development on this site, although the process never went to completion. The property has changed ownership since then.

They also reported the applicants hosted a public open house on the proposal in June, with about 75 residents turning up. Planners said the overall feedback from that session was positive.

Planners said there were no complications involving York Region's Official Plan, although it stipulates there has to be water and sewer servicing provided.

In terms of King's Official Plan, planners said the density of this proposal will be excessive, on the order of 78 units per gross hectare, when the maximum permitted is only 30 in the medium density designation. There are also plans for an institutional designation, and planners stated that poses no added restrictions to the development. As well, the property is part of an environmental constraint area. Planners said the Schomberg Community Plan requires proposed development in that area be supported by environmental evaluation. there have been several environmental reports, and they are being reviewed to the satisfaction of the Township and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority.

Planners reported there's a residential zoning on the site, which permits apartment style seniors housing. But there are sitespecific requirements for the property that will necessitate the rezoning to an institutional classification, with specifications to address issues like height and density. They will also be calling for a holding provision to make sure required municipal services are in place before the development goes ahead. Parts of the site are also to have open space and conservation zonings.

There is a lot of support in the community for more seniors' housing, and council heard comments to that effect from a couple of residents.

One woman was pleased to see the commitment to seniors, but she wondered about the location. She said she drives Church Street every day, and declared it's in terrible shape.

As well, she was concerned about ambulance service, pointing out it would take about 25 minutes to get to the nearest hospital.

Councillor Linda Pabst, who used to drive an ambulance, said the trip from downtown Schomberg to Southlake in Newmarket is 20 minutes.

The woman also expressed worries about increased traffic on Church Street, and the broken sidewalks that would make it difficult for seniors to get to the centre of the village.

In addition, she didn't think there were going to be enough elevators. She understood there was to be two at one end of the building for five floors of seniors. It might be difficult for people with walkers to get around.

But another man at the meeting pointed out not all the residents will be using walkers.

Addressing the situation for people walking to Main Street, Mayor Margaret Black pointed out a number of them will still be able to drive too.

Dave Phalp, of IBI Group, said they will want something done about the sidewalks so people will have a safe place to walk. They are also looking at the possibility of having golf carts to get people to the end of the driveway, as well as having a shuttle van.

Phalp also stressed there will be three elevators, and there will be staggered dining hours, so not everyone will be trying to get on one at the same time. He told Pabst the elevators will be wheelchair and stretcher accessible.

He also pointed out this is intended to be an independent living facility, aimed at people who are still able to get around.

Phalp told Councillor Jeff Laidlaw the units will not have full kitchens, although there will be a sink, microwave, coffee-maker, etc., but no ranges or stoves. Use of the dining facilities will be part of the rental package, and the residents will be able to have three meals per day.