Approximately a dozen residents attended a Public Meeting at City Hall, Monday, to consider a rezoning application for 72 Frobel Drive. The application would permit a home-based business selling consignment clothing, marketed online.
Representatives of J.L. Richards-Engineers, Architects, Planners- presented an overview of a six-page report via Zoom, visible on the council chamber monitors. Elliot Lake has an “as of right” provision for home-based businesses selling arts and crafts, but it does not cover a consignment clothing businesses.
Their presentation covered other provisions intended to preserve the residential character of the neighbourhood. The report is in the meeting package on the city’s website.
During the council question period, Councillor Morrissette asked if the property would revert back to its present zoning if the owner sold it in the future. The J.L. Richards representatives informed him that would not happen unless the council made a provision for it.
Councillor Flintoff inquired about purchasers coming to browse the inventory. The proponent, Robin Hilts, stated that is not her desire for both business and family reasons. Customers come for pick up or drop off only. Based on Hilts’s experience, they estimate 0-5 pickups/drop-offs weekly.
Acting Mayor Wannan asked how common this rezoning is in other areas of Ontario. “It’s on a case-by-case basis. We have seen a couple in the City of Elliot Lake, so this is the second one,” the presenter advised.
A public comments period followed. Acting Mayor Wannan asked the presenters to limit their statements to two minutes. Some went well over. But no one was cut off. The council gave residents the full opportunity to state their views.
Councillor Bull inquired about past complaints. The proponent reported that they were not aware of any.
Four residents presented, one by Zoom. Increased traffic in the neighbourhood was the most common concern. One resident commented, “My concern is you’re going to turn the street into another Kensington Market like there is in Toronto.” Other concerns included snow clearing and growth of the business. “What starts off as something, can gradually change.”
One resident commented, “I don’t think anybody here on council, would like them to rezone their area where they’re living. … Why don’t they have it in town? There are a lot of open places.”
Sarah Vereault of J.L. Richards offered council additional options to address the residents’ concerns including an accommodation to limit the rezoning to the present owner only.
Hilts addressed neighbours' concerns noting, “I do understand that Elliot Lake is very much a retirement town but we also have to look at the fact that we do have young people here too. And how many schools do we have here with children that attend them?”
“I’m trying to offer something that the town doesn’t have. There’s a lot of low-income people here that can’t afford to drive to Sudbury to go shopping for clothing. I have a lot of repeat customers already and I have a lot of positive feedback from the people that are supporting my business because they know we need this.”
Hilts continued, “I want to open a retail setting but right now I am still in the ‘testing the water’ stage of my business and I don’t have the income to pay for a retail store at the moment.”
The regular council meeting followed. Council considered each of the residents’ concerns. Councillor Flintoff noted that there were no complaints related to snow clearing during the past winter while the business had been in operation and the ATV and dirt bike traffic mentioned was not related to it.
Councillor Mann noted the traffic concerns but observed those are an enforcement matter.
Mann addressed the NIMBY comment, “For the record, I do live on a street where we did support a women’s transitional home and there was lots of controversy. People need to live somewhere. So, I supported that. These comments about, ‘not in your backyard,’ well, I supported something in my backyard.”
Mann continued, “I believe it is going to be a very non-intrusive kind of business.”
Councillor Bull observed that we already have many deliveries all over the city by couriers of online shopping.
The council ensured the rezoning reverts when the property is sold and passed the rezoning application unanimously.
Acting Mayor Wannan concluded the debate by recalling his own pre-council experience of applying for residential to commercial rezoning for a veterinary clinic. “I also encountered resistance, so I can say, I think it’s just a natural thing that occurs.”