The city unveiled the details of its downtown waterfront master plan last night (Tuesday) at a committee meeting.

The plan includes three distinct areas of the downtown, taking in the downtown, the waterfront and what’s being called the innovative area.

Bev Hillier is the manager of Planning and Building Services.

She says the master plan is broad policy that affects the entire area and isn’t tied to one specific proposal.

The master plan also has six ‘character areas’ and height guidelines for each specific area.

That caught councillor Derek Shogren’s attention in areas where the height is limited to six stories.

“We get an interested party that wants to build an 8 storey building or bigger. They’re going to have to be delayed probably 6-8 months while we go through all these different procedures. We can’t afford to deny anyone that wants to invest in the city,” he says.

Hillier says the master plan doesn’t preclude any proposals, but it would have to go through it’s own process.

“The Planning Act sets out a process to do an Official Plan amendment or a Zoning By-law amendment based on your circumstances and council deals with those regularly,” she says.

Hillier says says the height guidelines are in there for aesthetic reasons like a good view of Lake Nipissing, but other reasons too.

“It goes to building massing setbacks, streetscape that sort of thing so the character of the area is really enhanced,” she says.

One member of the committee, councillor Mike Anthony objected to the plan citing concern of the cost of the wharf.

“Encouraging enhancement is a step away from the basic repair of the wharf,” he says.

 

Check out the report to council HERE

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