Virgil medical centre moves ahead despite concerns
A proposed medical centre in Virgil that would house family doctors, a drug store and other medical services came a step closer to reality earlier this week, but concerns persist from town councillors and residents about its location at a busy intersection.
The proposed 30,000-squarefoot facility at Line 2 and Highway 55 would be built beside Crossroads Elementary School where there is no crosswalk or traffic light to control the flow of traffic, which is heavy at times.
The 11 family doctors in Niagara-on-the-Lake are currently practising out of two locations — the former hospital site and a medical building on Four Mile Creek Road. Patients were informed in a letter by the doctors last year that if the new facility failed to proceed, they may be forced to look outside the town for space.
Staff recommended approval of zoning and official plan amendments to permit the new building to the town’s community and development advisory committee. They reported that a market impact study concluded the new facility is necessary to accommodate existing health care professionals and assist with attracting new doctors to keep up with the provincial average.
An analysis of the intersection by Paradigm Traffic Systems in April determined that no measures would be needed to accommodate the projected traffic volume from the proposed centre.
“The assessed intersections are forecast to operate with generally acceptable levels of service with minimal delay and congestion,” staff reported on Paradigm’s findings.
Regarding the safety of students at Crossroads with the increased traffic, staff said the company did not receive a response from the District School Board of Niagara after the circulation of the development applications.
“As such, staff presume that the school board does not anticipate that the proposed medical centre will have significant impacts to Crossroads School,” staff reported.
Some members of council and neighbouring residents disagreed with the traffic study conclusions. They argued that the intersection should have been analyzed during the summer tourist season when traffic is heavier.
Margaret Louter, who has lived on nearby Henry Street for 18 years, provided a petition to the town signed by 60 residents concerned about existing and future traffic problems. She said vehicles are already cutting down her street, which has no sidewalks, to avoid the congestion on Highway 55 near the school. Louter said if the development goes ahead, there need to be lights at the intersection and traffic calming measures on Henry Street.
Couns. Maria Bau-Coote, Martin Mazza and Paolo Miele voted against the application due to concerns about the impact of increased traffic on the sur rounding areas and the school. “I didn’t approve of that school going there, and I don’t approve of this,” said Mazza.
Coun. John Wiens said he feels for the neighbourhood residents but “the need is great for the medical centre,” and Coun. Terry Flynn said, “We want to make sure the family health team stays together”.
Further discussion will take place about traffic concerns if the application gets to the site plan stage. Since Highway 55 is a regional road, the town cannot approve the erection of traffic controls at the intersection with Line2.
The application goes to council in two weeks for final approval.