The site of the infamous Walnut Manor residential home is back on the city’s radar.
Cyril J. Demeyere Limited, on behalf of Walnut Park Inc., is seeking to build a three-storey apartment building with 22 units where Walnut Manor once stood.
The application was before city council this past Monday (Dec. 15).
It was shuttered by Southwestern Public Health in July, 2021 under a Section 13 order under the Health Protection and Promotion Act as “an unfit, unsafe environment for living.”
The firm is seeking a zoning bylaw amendment to allow for the apartment development.
It has already received zoning approval for residential development at 59, 65, and 75 Walnut Street.
For those not familiar, the issue with 57 Walnut Street is that it borders Old St. Thomas Church – dating back over 200 years – and that opened up discussion at Monday’s council meeting.
Lou Pompilii, the city’s Director of Planning & Building, advised, “The applicant was very diligent with this submission. They have already started some consultation not only with the church itself, but also with the church property, but with the heritage committee. One of the primary concerns of the church is with vibration during construction. That no damage occur, and so there will be steps taken during construction to monitor the church building itself.
“But all these other matters that you raise are valid matters and those are things that we generally will deal with through the site plan process.”
A public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Jan. 12 in the council chamber at city hall.
Written by Ian McCallum
