Council votes to retain Creemore library land

Clearview council has voted to keep a property adjacent to the Creemore library in public ownership, with the majority of councillors saying it’s a bad idea to sell off land in the centre of town.

Council voted Monday against a staff recommendation to declare a portion of the library lands on Caroline Street East surplus to allow for the development of seniors’ apartments.

The 24-unit seniors’ housing project was proposed by Wendy Schellenberg, Peter and Naomi Miller.

“Council’s decision is a setback but doesn’t change our intention to develop apartments for seniors in Creemore. If we can find a viable alternative site in Creemore, we’ll proceed with the project,” said the Millers in a statement.

Going around the table, council members commented on the issue.

“We shouldn’t sell off public land. I think we should hold on to it,” said Deputy Mayor Barry Burton, adding he acknowledges there are affordable housing issues that need addressing.

Other council members said they were torn.

“I would like to see it move forward but I’m not sure about the location,” said Councillor Robert Walker. He said selling the land could cause problems for a future expansion of the Creemore branch.

“If we declare it surplus, we have no idea what is coming,” said Walker.

Mayor Christopher Vanderkruys said he doesn’t expect the library will ever be expanded onto that part of the property given the limited growth allocation for the village.

Councillor Thom Paterson agreed with that assessment and said a minor expansion would still be possible it the land was severed.

“The library is not an issue but housing is,” he said… “Mixed housing is required.”

He said, Creemore has waited a long time for the right plan and while there is one proposal on the table, others could mature.

“What we have seen so far (in terms of design) is not necessarily representative of what it could be,” said Paterson. “I am confident we can come up with the answer. I know some people won’t be happy. I am at least in favour of going to the step of declaring it surplus, putting it on the market and seeing what comes.”

“This has been a tough one for me and I think for all of council,” said Councillor Kevin Elwood. “My challenge is with surplus lands… It’s always easier to sell than to buy. It seems when we are looking to buy, the price comes in four times above market value.”

He complimented the developers and wished them success.

“Staff has embraced it because it is a solid plan,” said Elwood. “I really support the proponent.”

Councillor Doug Measures said he was not in favour and he would rather see development on land already approved.

Councillor Deborah Bronée said she also struggled with her decision.

She said it is important to consider a mix of housing and considers people like her own parents who want to move from a large property and settle somewhere that is familiar.

Councillor Connie Leishman said she too struggled with the issue.

“In our haste to develop housing I don’t want to do something rash,” she said.

At the end of the discussion, councillors Paterson, Bronée and Shawn Davidson voted in favour of declaring the property surplus and putting it up for sale but with four nay votes, the motion was defeated.

Schellenberg said she is disappointed by the decision.

“Where are the seniors going to go, where do they move to? If they can’t be in the centre of town where do they go? It’s very sad. Here’s someone who wants to put the money up and build it and the town says no,” said Schellenberg. My biggest disappointment is that there is nowhere for seniors to go. There is nowhere with an elevator for a disabled person to live so, so much for accessibility and there is so much NIMBYism.”

Schellenberg had hoped for more dialogue on the issue, saying that they were flexible on the size, orientation and design of the building.

She said she will not persist.

During the investigation into the possible sale of the library lands, the property was appraised at $224,000.

File photo: A 2015 community gathering in Creemore attracted a large crowd of people interested in developing seniors’ housing in the village.