Residential or recreational, that’s the divide city council must cross in dealing with a vacant lot at 79-83 Elm Street, just west of the Pinafore Park entrance.
Patrick Matkowski of Monteith Brown Planning Consultants in London made a presentation to council last Monday on behalf of Vivian Campbell who is seeking to enter into a 20-year lease agreement with property owner Don McCaig for a mini-golf facility.
The mini-golf course would require a zoning bylaw amendment for the two-acre property and several councillors raised concerns about taking residential land out of use.
Coun. Steve Wookey called the proposal an outstanding recreational opportunity but expressed concerns about appropriate use for the property.
More than 15 years ago a 12-storey luxury condominium, to be known as the Steppes at Park Place, was proposed for that very same vacant lot but the development was never approved by city council at the time.
There’s no doubt a mini-golf course would be a welcome addition to the city’s recreational options for residents and visitors.
However, Coun. Joan Rymal wondered if 1Password Park might not be a better location rather than use land zoned residential.
No questions or concerns were raised by any members of the public and the next step in the application process will be an amendment to the zoning bylaw which will come before council for consideration later this summer.
Written by Ian McCallum
