Cobourg council has rejected a motion to refer a proposed 256-bed long-term-care home application back for additional information, following a lengthy discussion about traffic, infrastructure, the size of the facility and its compatibility with the surrounding neighbourhood.
The proposed development is planned for 660 Kerr Street West, on land currently designated residential. The application would redesignate part of the property as major institutional and rezone it to allow a four-storey long-term-care home, along with a stormwater management pond and sanitary infrastructure.
Planning staff recommended approval, saying the proposal is consistent with applicable provincial, county and municipal planning policies. Staff noted the facility would provide additional local long-term-care capacity and approximately 100 jobs. The project would include 256 beds and would be set back about 30 metres from the nearest residential property.
However, the proposal generated significant debate.
Residents who spoke to council raised concerns about traffic, the size and height of the building and its relationship with the existing low-rise neighbourhood. One resident, John Wilcox, said he supports the need for long-term care but believes the proposed location creates problems.
Traffic was another major issue.
Councillors questioned whether existing studies adequately addressed intersections including Rogers Road and Carlisle Street. Staff said they were already seeking additional information from the applicant, including expanded traffic analysis and consideration of nearby school-related traffic.
The future of Kerr Street was also discussed. Staff said extending the road toward William Street would require a bridge and could cost more than 25 million dollars, with the project potentially at least five years away.
A motion to refer the application back for more information was eventually put to a recorded vote. The motion was defeated.
Council then proceeded to the main motion. The recorded vote on that motion was also defeated, with the councillors voting no.
The result means the proposed long-term-care home at 660 Kerr Street West was not approved by Cobourg council at this meeting.
