By LYN TREMBLAY

It has taken three attempts but John and Kathryn Smith of Brantford have finally received approval from Norfolk County Council for zoning by-law changes that will allow them to build a 28-unit, three-storey condominium apartment building on Brant Hill.

Their first application was submitted in November 2007, but was deferred because there was insufficient water and sewage servicing capacity in Port Dover at that time. When the allocation numbers were re-calculated, freeing up capacity, their application was deferred in October 2008 because staff did not approve of the proposed underground parking, and recommended reduction in scale from a 30 to 36-unit, four-storey building. Residents at that time also protested the concept of a four-storey box-like structure that did not fit into the character of the neighbourhood.

John Vallee, agent for the developer says the sale of the condominiums will target seniors, many who might own boats in the Port Dover Harbour Marina. Units will be one and two bedrooms in size. The flat roof concept has been eliminated and three peaked roofs will now provide a better architectural design for the residential area. It will be an upscale building, “something Port Dover can be proud of,” according to Mr. Vallee. He anticipated the height of the building would be similar to that of the existing Brant Hill Inn located on the adjacent property.

A Traffic Impact Study has been completed and approved by the Ministry of Transportation but the developers will have to contribute to any upgrades resulting from a current ongoing study by the Ministry on this section of Highway 6.

Since the back of the building will overlook property owned by Norfolk County and will be a very visible structure near a gateway to the community, the architecture will mirror the front. Initial plans to landscape and improve the area aesthetically have been abandoned as Mr. Vallee stated, “the concept was too logistically challenging”.

Brant Hill residents expressed concern about increased traffic, particularly adding to the already high volume of traffic to and from the marina, and the positioning of the one entry off of Brown Street. Councillor John Wells assured most concerns could be dealt with at the Site Plan Approval stage of the development.

Councillor Charlie Luke commented, “there is no question in my mind that the flavour of the neighbourhood will change, but that trend is going to continue in communities such as Port Dover.” It will be at least a year before construction of the building begins. - December 16, 2009