On Dec 2, Mississippi Mills Council hosted a public meeting to review Official Plan and Zoning By-Law amendments for 39 and 53 Carss Street in Almonte.
For 53 Carss Street, the applicant, Patrick Ashby, plans on a four-storey apartment building fronting onto Carss Street consisting of approximately 45 units and associated parking. For 39 Carss Street, commonly known at the Pinehurst Estate, the same applicant proposes tourist-related uses including a boutique inn with restaurant in an existing dwelling, a banquet hall/conference centre, a spa with guest rooms, and up to 27 private accomodation cabins.
The properties are serviced by municipal water but use private septic systems.
A record-setting 23 residents spoke against both proposals indicating the large commercial use of 39 Carss Street was not compatible with a low-density residential area.
They also opposed the amount of traffic it would create on a narrow street without sidewalks as well as the excessive water it would draw from the Town’s system which uses four wells and has suffered from low water levels this year.
The land-owner and applicant Patrick Ashby spoke of his vision for 39 Carss Street/Pinehurst property.
Residents expressed concern about the lack of detail on what was being proposed for 39 Carss Street including the possibility that the owner would sell to another developer once OP and zoning permissions were granted.
Nearby resident Chris George was clear in his opinion that a large commercial facility didn’t belong in his neighbourhood.
The public meeting was only one of 10 steps in the process with a formal motion expected to go to council sometime next year.
Story by Brian Turner
