Pelham Town Council voted unanimously Wednesday to hold three public open houses in the new year regarding lands to the southeast of the Meridian Community Centre.
The lands represent a sort of catch-22 for Pelham, as some of it is currently being used as overflow parking for the facility. However, it is also the only Town-owned land in the vicinity of the MCC, and is viewed as a key revenue opportunity.
“We made a promise that [the MCC] would eventually pay for itself with the sale of the land,” Ward 1 Councillor Wayne Olson said.
The problem is, the original parking lot for the MCC does not adequately meet demand, which will continue to pose issues if the land is redeveloped. That seems to be why most members of council vocally supported a “hybrid” option, where the corner of the property at Rice and Summersides would be sold for development, with 74 parking spots to the north retained for the arena.
The preferred options for development, according to a Town report, are either a hotel or affordable or “attainable” housing.
Deputy Mayor John Wink liked the hotel idea, citing a lack of accommodations in Pelham. However, he pointed out that zoning in East Fonthill may allow for construction up to 12 storeys high. As such, he suggested a caveat to limit the height. After all, a tall hotel would require a certain amount of parking as well.
Mayor Marvin Junkin brought up an old idea about investigating the possibility of tearing out the grass boulevard on the west side of the MCC and replacing it with angled parking, but said a staff report would be required.
In the end, council agreed to put the options to the public at open houses in the new year.
Wink calls for point of order on Olson
During a separate discussion about the feasibility for a Joint Operations Centre with Niagara Region, Wink called for a point of order after Olson suggested the staff report hinted at amalgamation.
“Are these all the things that are going to be addressed as possibilities for amalgamation of services?” Olson asked. “What is this list that we have in front of us? Are we accepting these?”
While the purpose of the report aimed specifically at the public works yard on Victoria Avenue, an appendix Olson cited referred to fire services among other entities.
Wink sternly replied that was not on the agenda.
“We’re going onto something that is not in the agenda,” the Deputy Mayor said. “All that this report is saying is a feasibility study, joint operations for Niagara Region for this particular property. The other stuff that you’re bringing forward, Councillor, has nothing to do with this report.”
CAO David Cribbs said, “We’re not debating other potential shared services. This is about the operating yard.” He added, however, that “other things may come before council in due course.”
Olson then withdrew his remarks, explaining again his concerns about amalgamation in Niagara.
“I just don’t want the door open for this kind of thing, which inevitably will be some numbers data driven thing that will take things away from our community,” he said.
LED street light conversion
As part of the 2023 capital budget in the amount of $700,000, it was approved to undertake Phase 2 of the LED Street Light conversion, which includes 574 cobra head lights and 426 decorative fixtures, which will be upgraded. Phase 2 of the Project has commenced and will be completed by the end of 2023. The Project has estimated savings for the Town of approximately 77% for utility operating costs and reduced maintenance costs, representing a capital project cost payback of approximately 4.7 years.
Telecommunications tower proposal at 1022 Pelham Street
Council received Report #2023-0216 Request for Letter of Concurrence – Proposed Telecommunications Tower at 1022 Pelham Street. The federal agency Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada approves telecommunications towers. As part of the approval process, proponents of telecommunications towers are required to consult with the local municipality and nearby community. A copy of the report will be provided to Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada as concurrence with the location, siting, and design of the proposed telecommunications tower at 1022 Pelham Street, subject to obtaining site plan amendment approval and building permit approval.
Study for updated ward boundary in Pelham
Council previously approved funding within the 2023 operating budget, including project number PLN 04-23, a study to review the Ward Boundary and Council Composition Update and Selection Process for Deputy Mayor. A call for proposals was completed, and the Project has been awarded. The proposed schedule was provided for council review, which includes steps including community and public consultation scheduled for February and March of 2024.
