Napanee Council votes to rezone property to accommodate new business

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The property at 166 Richmond Blvd. in Napanee will soon be the site of a new bakery and butcher shop after being rezoned.

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During the May 13 regular meeting of the Council of the Town of Greater Napanee, a public meeting under the planning act was held to discuss rezoning the area locally known as 166 Richmond Blvd. from  its current light industrial distinction to business park, which will allow for a bakery in the existing building and permit future buildout of the lands for a business park subdivision-style development.

The zoning bylaw amendment application was received from Red Tree Developments to rezone five hectares of land at the southwest corner of Richmond Boulevard and Camden Road to allow future development of the balance for similar business park land uses.

According to the application, Red Tree Developments is owned by Duane Hunt, David Atkinson, Edwin Mclangin, and Ewart Mclangin.

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After introducing the matter, Mayor Terry Richardson confirmed that Hunt was in the council chambers and said council would give Hunt an opportunity to speak and answer questions if required.

With that, Michael Nobes, the town’s general manager of growth and infrastructure, explained, “The intent of this application is to rezone the property known municipally as 166 Richmond Blvd., from light industrial to business park. The intent is to allow for the installation of a bakery in a portion of a recently constructed building, which will house a meat processing and sales establishment or butcher shop.”

“In the other side is currently a vacant unit, but the intention is to install a bakery in there,“ Nobes said, pointing out that under light industrial zoning, a bakery is not explicitly permitted, while under business park zoning, it is. ”What the official plan contemplates… is that the this geographic area of the town — south of Richmond Boulevard, and north of the former CN (Canadian National) spur line — … that lighter industrial uses and business park style uses be the predominant land use, which is consistent with the types of established operations in the vicinity, and that a heavier industrial uses be located further north.”

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Nobes said, “Staff are certainly supportive of the application and ready to answer any questions that council may have.”

Coun. Angela Hicks asked how close the property would be to the unused spur line currently planned to be used as part of an in-town trail system.

Nobes answered that the rail line curves run northeast, and this property bounds it, “so the property is on the north side of that former railway.”

“Perfect! Nice location!” Hicks enthused.

Coun. Mike Schenk seemed to concur, saying, “It’s been a hay field for I don’t know how many years, and thank goodness it’s being used. Of course, the tax base is going to be increased; it’s a similar use.”

“The bakery is fairly close to Davis and Davis — You don’t have to walk that far now, Brian,” Schenk joked, indicating Deputy Mayor Brian Calver, who owns the adjacent business, Davis and Davis.

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Schenk also pointed out that a new strip mall would fit right in in that area of town: “So, I totally agree with your findings.”

Nobes said in agreement, “That is how staff view this, as well. It would be almost a shame to put a large, heavier industry in there when it’s surrounded by more sensitive and lesser-impact industries… So this is solely focusing on the immediate future of the existing building that was recently constructed and recently approved for severance. Still, it is applicable to the entirety of the land, so it’s future-proofing the development of that parcel as a whole.”

Later in the evening, Nobes submitted a report on the matter, which indicated, “No comments have been received from the public with respect to the application. Agency comments have been provided from Quinte Conservation Authority, the County of Lennox and Addington, and the Town’s Utilities staff, none of which has indicated any concerns.”

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Council passed the motion recommended by staff that “as the application facilitates an appropriate form of land development, constitutes good land use planning, and is in the public interest,” the zoning bylaw amendment be approved, subject to the following conditions:

• That council consider and decide on the merits of written and verbal submissions received up to and including the May 13 council meeting, and;
• If new information or further input is received, raising points for further consideration, the decision should be revisited as needed.