‘Irregular face’ questioned

Committees calls for changes to 385 George St. N. redevelopment

A proposed new five-storey apartment building on George Street won’t fit into the downtown’s heritage look, says a group that advises council on architectural conservation — and design changes may have to be made before construction will be allowed.

The Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (PACAC) advises city council on matters related to the city’s architectural heritage.

PACAC has been consulted on plans for a modern apartment building to replace a derelict dollar store at 385 George St. N. because it would go next door to the heritage-designated Bierk building on George Street (which houses the apparel store Flavour on the ground floor).

The committee reviewed the plans and asked for design changes of the developer, GTAbased Richard Summers.

Some of those changes have already taken place, but a new city staff report states that PACAC still thinks the building as designed is too tall, has “an irregular face” and is proportioned to be generally “out of context” with the heritage downtown.

That’s why city staff is recommending that approval for construction be granted only after the developer can adjust the design to the satisfaction of PACAC.

City staff also recommends that both the city’s staff heritage co-ordinator and urban design planner be convinced that the new building will be “compatible” with the Bierk building and with the downtown generally before construction can happen.

The design for the building was done by Toronto-based architect Joel Gerber.

Councillors will consider those recommendations at a committee meeting on Monday.

Also on Monday:

East City apartments

City councillors will review an application for four new apartment buildings in East City, on vacant land across from Ashburnham Ale House on Hunter Street East.

Ashburnham Realty is planning the buildings, which will have up to 97 units in total.

City staff recommends approval for the plans, but wants city council to have a final look at details such as the relocation and reconstruction plans for the Rotary Trail — which will have to be realigned to fit the development — before construction can happen.

The design of the buildings is by Lett Architects of Peterborough.

Brealey Drive apartments

Councillors will consider an application for a new 18-unit apartment building on the northeast corner of Brealey Drive and Sir Sandford Fleming Drive.

That’s next to Christian Victory Baptist Church.

A company called Life at Brealey Drive is already building 14 townhouses and a two-storey, 18-unit apartment building there.

But now the company wants to buy an additional slice of surplus land from the church to add yet another two-storey, 18unit apartment building.

That would bring the total number of new townhouses and apartment on the property to 50, states a city staff report that recommends the plans be approved by council.

City budget

People are welcome to speak up about the draft budget plans for 2021, says the mayor — but if you want to participate in person or even via speakerphone at a public meeting on Nov. 16, you have to register first.

“We want public to know they are being heard,” said Mayor Diane Therrien, who held a news conference about it Friday morning outside city hall.

Because seating is limited in council chambers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Therrien said preregistering to speak in person or arranging to make a delegation by speakerphone must happen in advance.

The draft 2021 budget documents were released earlier this week, and they call for an allinclusive tax increase of 2.87 per cent for 2021, as well as an increase to all user fees — including a transit fare hike of 10 per cent.

To take the bus, that will mean a fare of $2.75 instead of $2.50.