Smiths Falls staff anticipated the new roof of the business (right) to be similar to that of the old post office (left). Comparison via staff report
Smiths Falls council is refusing a $10,000 payout to Rideau Heartland Centre after staff found its facade changes didn’t match the original agreement under the town’s Community Improvement Plan (CIP).
The purpose of the CIP is to help businesses beautify their storefronts by providing funding support of up to $10,000.
The owners asked to amend the original deal in order to receive the funding, but Mayor Shawn Pankow said doing so would set a dangerous precedent.
The roof was expected to match the one of the old post office, and the roof window was to be replaced, but that’s not what happened, says Senior Planner Marie Elmsley.
Instead, the roof has a smoother finish and the owners asked to remove the window entirely, which Elmsley said didn’t align with their expectations following discussions with the owners.
Council backed staff in ruling the project ineligible for funding.
Story by Grant Deme