Pelham Town Council saw architectural details from the Lincoln Pelham Public Library Wednesday, including how to make the 37-year-old Fonthill branch Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)-compliant. The financial ask for the Town currently stands at approximately $1.5 million, although that could change based on federal grant funding.
Council members were all receptive to the need to make the building AODA-compliant (which is provincially mandated by next year), but as a group were not ready to make the large financial commitment.
Ward 3’s Shellee Niznik, who sits on the Library Board, estimated that the cost to Pelham residents would not be more than $100 per person.
“I don’t think it’s unreasonable,” she said. “I do think it’s imperative we get behind the project.”
Ward 1’s Kevin Ker said the challenge will come from residents that don’t use the facility.
“I hate to sound like the Grinch … but we have to apportion the money to a large number of projects,” Ker said.
Mayor Marvin Junkin and Deputy Mayor John Wink pointed out a decision is not needed right away, even though the federal grant announcement could come any day – which will either help or hinder the project.
“If these grants don’t get approved, you’re way off of your $5 million (total cost) target,” Wink said, adding that every time he visits the library, it is full.
“I’m just not at a specific number at this point in time.”
Junkin said, “Councillor Wink is right, there is a lot of life in that building. It’s up to this council to uphold our end of the bargain [with Lincoln, with whom the library merged in 2022]. We’ll see how the budget rolls.”
In addition to the needed accessibility upgrades – which would see an elevator shaft built as an addition on the east side of the structure – there are also backlogged maintenance issues, including the basement being prone to flooding.
Surety bond security policy passes
Ward 3’s Bob Hildebrandt was the only member to vote against a Town development security policy, which would allow the use of surety bonds as security for development projects where certain requirements are met.
While Public Works Director Jason Marr said that for his part, he had never been forced to call in a bond over the course of his municipal career, Junkin pointed out that the higher interest rates of the last few years have wreaked havoc with some developers.
“These are indeed going to be trying times coming up. I was reading one article that in Toronto in the last six months 23 developers went bankrupt and got bought out by bigger corporations.”
Junkin may have been referring to a story that cites at least 27 Ontario developers going into receivership the past year, something analysts hope will taper off as interest rates enter what’s believed to be – barring global disaster – a longer-term cutting cycle.
“Interest rates are coming down, there is optimism there,” the Mayor said. “I guess I will trust the legal department if you are ensuring us the Town will be protected.”
Other council news via the Town of Pelham
New Provincial Planning Statement, 2024 Recommendation
Council received Report #2024-0194, New Provincial Planning Statement 2024, for information. On August 24, 2024, the Province of Ontario released the final version of the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024, which is set to take effect on October 20, 2024. The release of this document follows a period of significant public consultation on two prior drafts and replaces A Place to Grow: Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and the Provincial Planning Statement 2020 by integrating them into a single planning document, which applies to the entire Province.
Town of Pelham New Official Plan – Status Update and Information Report Recommendation
Council received Report 2024-0203, Town of Pelham New Official Plan – Status Update and Information Report, for information. The new (draft) Town of Pelham Official Plan is a comprehensive policy document that places a stronger emphasis on compact and efficient land use, sustainable development, housing affordability, transportation and infrastructure, climate change and environmental protection. Mapping has been created to reflect more up-to-date land use and environmental conditions and is an integration of the mapping contained in the NOP and previous official plan mapping. The draft Official Plan is made up of 15 Sections. Staff are preparing to circulate the draft document to council, the public, stakeholders, agencies and Town Committees. An initial round of public consultation via a series of in-person Open Houses will be completed before the formal Statutory Public Meeting, which is proposed to be held in Q1 of 2025. The draft Official Plan will be posted on the ‘Engaging Pelham’ website. The public can also provide input online on the proposed draft Official Plan through this public engagement platform. Learn more at www.pelham.ca/officialplan
Fire Station No.1 Architectural Design Project Recommendation
Council received Report #2024-0190 Fire Station No.1 Architectural Design Project and directed staff to move forward with Capital Project FAC-3-24 Fire Station No.1 Architectural Design and be completed as a standalone rebuild of the facility on the existing property (177 Regional Road 20 West), to accommodate a phased construction approach. Staff have provided construction estimates; however, the total project cost will not be determined until the final design drawings are completed and assessed.
Haist Street Traffic Calming Pilot Update
Council received Report #2024-0205-Public Works Haist Street Traffic Calming Pilot Update and directed staff to install permanent speed cushions on Haist Street north of Brewerton. In addition, council directed staff to include budget consideration for the inclusion of traffic calming measures in the 2025 Capital Roads Budget.
