Amherstburg council approves bylaw amendment for proposed hotel
A proposed hotel in Amherstburg is another step closer to development.
After a lengthy discussion on Tuesday, Amherstburg council has decided to approve a Zoning By-law amendment for a new hotel at 256 Dalhousie Street.
This amendment means that the developer, Black Dog Entertainment Inc. and Architectural Design Associates, will be able to build the hotel right to the curb.
Now that rezoning was approved, the usual required 7.5 metre distance from a building to the curb will be zero metres for the land on the west side of Dalhousie Street, south of Richmond Street.
Delegates in attendance were mostly concerned for the fire safety of surrounding buildings, including the Salmoni Condominium at 252 Dalhousie Street, as the one side of their building would be blocked by the new hotel.
Amherstburg's fire chief and chief building official presented to council that as per the Ontario Building Code, buildings do not have to provide a fire department access to all four sides of the building, as long as they have access to one side of the building, which for the Salmoni building, that side is found on Dalhousie Street.
Amherstburg Fire says there is no risk to extending the building of the hotel back to the curb.
Don Parks, who lives in the condo building next door was against the amendment, and says by keeping the 7.5 metres of space, it would allow fire trucks to reach the entire length of the Salmoni building to save those who need it.
"That's who's entrapped, that's who's in danger. The number one thing this Town Fire Department should be considering is pulling that ladder truck up. I've measured it, I've put a 75 foot hose in and it reaches everywhere when that fire truck comes in, it doesn't stay on the street, he goes on an angle into that 7.5 metres, puts his ladder wherever he wants on that wall."
Colleen Peddie with Black Dog Entertainment Inc. says Amherstburg needs a hotel option.
"There are so many reasons to visit Amherstburg, we need more options to stay. People come from Detroit to visit the Freedom Museum in the Town, exhibitors to Art in the Park need someplace to stay. Too many people come to Town, but must leave to stay elsewhere."
Councillor Linden Crain says this will allow the developers to continue moving forward.
"Just having 7.5 metre setback, they were unable to invest in that property. They wanted zero metres because it was the best business model for them. So, this will allow them to move the process forward."
Councillor Crain says Black Dog Entertainment Inc. went above and beyond to address concerns.
"They did a traffic study, they made adjustments to how the garbage is going to be disposed in a zero metre setback environment. They've addressed a lot of the concerns that were raised. Our fire chief did a great job at explaining the fire safety aspect and how measures can be in place still with that structure there to ensure people are safe."
Mayor Michael Prue, deputy mayor Chris Gibb, councillor Don McArthur, and councillor Linden Crain voted in favour, while councillor Peter Courtney, councillor Diane Pouget and councillor Molly Allaire voted against it.
Deputy mayor Gibb and councillor Crain both say the Town should be prepared for the possibility that residents may appeal the decision to the Ontario Land Tribunal.