Rezoning request for new downtown hotel approved by council committee

A council committee has given the green light to rezoning land at 495 Oak Street West to allow for uses like a hotel and restaurants.

The developer is looking to build a six-storey hotel with two restaurants on the property.

Paul Goodridge represents the developer.

He told the Community Services Committee Tuesday night that this will add positive growth to the city and the downtown, pointing out all 100 rooms in the hotel are suites with their own small kitchen units.

He says, “When we’re talking about bringing people into the downtown core, we will be attracting the convention goers, but we will also be attracting the families coming down for waterfront activities.”

Senior Planner Peter Carello told council one of the most important goals of the official plan is to create a strong and healthy downtown.

He says, “This can be achieved by creating ‘demand generators’ increasing the number of people in the downtown core which in turn supports further economic activity of other businesses in the area. It’s staff’s opinion that this application helps meets this vision.”

Full Council will hold a vote on the rezoning request at their next meeting.

Meantime, two other rezoning applications were given committee approval too.

One on Pinewood Park Drive at the former Fifth Wheel involves a proposal to set up a local retail store.

The other request is on Gormanville Road and involves a restaurant and would allow for a small retail store in the future.