St. Thomas City Council has approved the bylaw amendments needed to bring a hotel to the Elgin Centre. Council unanimously approved the amendments for the $14 million Holiday Inn Express in a recorded vote on Tuesday night (September 3).
The Elgin Centre is now permitted to continue the planning process that will see 90 rooms, a swimming pool and up to 2,000 square feet of meeting space redeveloped at the west end of the mall. The hotel will be redeveloped in the unused space beside Giant Tiger.
The proposal has been met with some concerns from area residents at the public meeting in July, with traffic, parking and noise impacts being the main issues. Staff’s report states that the Elgin Centre’s analysis deemed the hotel will have no impact on traffic in the area. Staff also note that there is enough existing parking on the property for the development. Overall staff advised council that there are no unacceptable impacts anticipated from the development.
The Elgin Centre believes that the hotel will bring new added life and energy to the centre and the surrounding area. While there is a standard 21 day appeal process, staff does not anticipate one will be filed.
