Culvert hole one step closer to fill-in
Roger Varley
Uxbridge council passed a zoning bylaw change on Monday that removes the (H) Holding symbol from the property at 36 Brock Street West, thus clearing the way for construction of a new building on the site.
The site currently sits as a below-ground level opening on the street, the result of the demolition of Uxbridge Shoes to allow for construction of the Brock Street culvert.
Pictured left: an artistic rendering of the proposed facade of 36 Brock St. W. (Uxbridge Shoes). Construction on the property may begin “soon,” according to the owner. Property owners on either side of the proposed building say they are concerned because damage to their buildings, allegedly caused by culvert construction, has not yet been rectified.
Photo from uxbridge.ca
Development services director Kyle Rainbow told council the township is "obligated" to remove the symbol since John Rodych, owner of the property, has complied with three conditions which were necessary for its removal. Those conditions were supplying a site plan agreement to the township, receiving all necessary approvals from the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority and all other approvals needed from the township, region and province.
On hand for the council vote on the bylaw change were Maria Guido, owner of Mondo hair salon to the east of the site, and Rick Siwek of Royal LePage on the west side of the site. Council's agenda also included a letter from Guido's legal representatives stating that she opposed the lifting of the (H) symbol until such time as damages to her building allegedly caused by the culvert construction are addressed.
A notice put out by the township two weeks ago advising of the upcoming bylaw change stipulated that council "will not hear representations from the public on this matter." However, councillor Willie Popp sought and received council approval for both Guido and Siwek to address council. Both admitted they were not prepared because of the aforesaid stipulation, but Guido charged that the bylaw change "is in favour of John Rodych." She said she opposed the change because nothing has been done about the damage to her building.
Siwek said he has been unable to use his building "in its entirety" for six years because of damage from the culvert construction.
"We need council to tell us what's going on so we can get on with our lives," he said. "Why can't council put out a report that everyone can understand?"
He said when the culvert construction was in progress, reports were issued every two weeks. When Chief Administrative Officer Kristi Honey said the township has to be careful about what information is shared with the public because of ongoing litigation, Siwek responded: "You've been so careful, we haven't had any information for four years."
Popp told council he was "sick to my stomach that this has gone on so long." However, he pointed out that several properties in the former floodplain have (H) symbols attached to them and they have to be approached on a case-by-case basis.
As far as the letter from Guido's letter was concerned, Rainbow recommended that council receive it for information.
On Tuesday, Rodych was somewhat reticent about talking about his property and what his plans to build on it. He said the removal of the (H) symbol means the township can now proceed with building permits, but would not comment on when construction of a new building would start, other than to say it would be soon. He also showed a picture produced by the Downtown Revitalization Committee that he said shows what his new two-storey building will look like.