Council says no to making library land available for seniors housing, so now what?

It is very disappointing that we are no closer to seeing seniors’ housing developed in Creemore.

There was enough opposition in the community and around the council table to halt the project.

With neighbours opposing the development of the library lands on Caroline Street East, and with the library board and Log Cabin board both coming out against the sale of the land, perhaps it was not the best location for the proposed development of seniors’ apartments. So, that begs the question, what is the best location?

To be clear, at this week’s meeting, councillors were tasked only with deciding whether or not the library land should be declared surplus and sold on the open market. The no vote was in relation to declaring the land surplus and was not a no vote on the project as a whole.

Housing for seniors is needed in Creemore.

Wendy Schellenberg, who has been working to get the project going, in one form or another, has said she is giving up and turning her attention elsewhere but Naomi and Peter Miller, who were willing candidates as the developers of the property, have indicated they are still willing to proceed with the project if suitable land can be found.

Now that a decision has been made, we have a chance to reevaluate.

What can we do to encourage seniors housing and affordable housing in this community?

As average citizens, we may feel helpless to make something happen. It’s easier to oppose someone else’s development plans than to propose an alternative.

This community needs a homegrown solution to the housing problem that currently exists.

Housing is a hot topic right now. There is very little “stock” available and what does go up for sale is snatched up immediately at very high prices. If seniors want to stay in the community in their golden years, they have few options, other than to remain in their single detached homes.

It may not seem possible for a community to shape its own housing profile. Communities are at the mercy of planners and developers. We take what we get.

So, how can we turn it around? Now that a decision has been made as to what we don’t want, how do we determine what we do want?

We encourage the municipality and the community to work together to find alternative options for a seniors’ apartment complex.

With all the work that has been done, it doesn’t make sense to start from scratch. The foundation has been laid.

If there is no plan for an expansion to the Creemore library, then what will be done with the property on Caroline Street East? Maybe it should be turned into a bowling green or it could be treed and made into nice park space.