Controversial NOTL medical centre approved by council
Following a contentious debate by Niagara-on-the-Lake town council recently about the impact on traffic at a busy intersection in Virgil, an application to build a new medical centre has been narrowly approved.
Last month, council had deferred a decision on zoning and official plan changes to permit a medical building to house family doctors, a drug store and other medical services at the corner of Line 2 and Highway 55.
The decision was delayed to give the town time to have discussions with Niagara Region and the developer about safety measures such as traffic lights or a crosswalk. Lord Mayor Pat Darte recently met with the property owner Lloyd Redekop and a representative from the Region regarding the town’s concerns.
Tom Hanranhan, a lawyer for Redekop, told council that the Region is not prepared to support the suggested traffic safety measures as the volume of traffic on Highway 55, a regional road, does not warrant it at this time.
He said that Redekop is prepared to offer $75,000 to the town toward future improvements at the intersection. A letter of credit would be held by the town for up to two years.
Coun Terry Flynn made a motion that the town accept Redekop’s offer and that the town and the Region continue to work with him on traffic concerns in the area including those on nearby side streets.
“Hopefully the Region will come on board in the future,” said Flynn. “It’ll be at least a year before this (medical centre) is up and running.”
“This rezoning is not a necessity, it’s a want,” said Coun. Martin Mazza. “Seventy-five thousand dollars is not going to buy my vote.”
Mazza and Couns. Paolo Miele and Maria Bau-Coote voted against approving the application, arguing that there are other suitable locations for a medical building in less congested areas of town.
Miele said the traffic issue at Highway 55 and Line 2 has to be addressed now, calling the Region “insane” and with “absolutely no clue” about what a dangerous location it is, especially for children using it to get to Crossroads School.
Council voted 4-3 in favour of the application. Coun. John Wiens was not present and Coun. Jamie King declared a conflict of interest.