> Niagara West: Federal candidates stake their claim on votes /Pgs 10-11 > New “courtyard” for downtown Grimsby Pg 2 > Lincoln resets joint fire committee terms Pg 3 > Beamsville Lions food drive Saturday Pg 6 Thursday, September 16, 2021 Vol. 10 Issue 20
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Jordan kept off joint fire service committee By Mike Williscraft NewsNow It took a “surprise” amendment initiated by Coun. Dave Sharpe and a motion to restructure how council would vote, but five Grimsby councillors managed to alter the joint fire services terms of reference to keep Mayor Jeff Jordan from having an automatic spot on the committee. The motion before council Sept. 7 was to have mayors, plus two members of coun-
cil and CAOs for both Grimsby and Lincoln be voting members on the committee. When the dust settled, it was adjusted to read three members of council could be voted in, with CAOs taking part but as non-voting members. This opened the door for five members of council, which included Coun. John Dunstall who missed the twohour committee-ofthe-whole meeting that See FIRE, Page 19
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Farmerette Feature
Saturday, Sept. 11, the Rotary Club of Lincoln hosted its annual Lamplighter Tour in a special format. The troupe set up six vignettes on a road trip tour around Lincoln. On hand for the performance titled ‘Farmerettes’ were (L-R) Audrey Lenz, Myriah Racke and George Prins. For more photos, please turn to Page 4 Marks - Photos
Parking, height key concern on The Woolverton By Mike Williscraft NewsNow The Woolverton - a proposed seven-storey, 74-unit apartment building at the corner of Elm and Mountain in downtown Grimsby took an initial step Monday with a public meeting dealing with Official Plan and zoning amendments. The project includes the lots at 13 Elm Street - the current GBF Hub and long-time Different Strokes prior to that - as well as 13 Mountain street, currently H&R Block’s location with prior tenants being The Syndicate Restaurant and The Gables. The current “downtown intensification” zoning calls for a maximum of four storeys on the lots with town council being able to approve up to six storeys. As noted, seven are proposed. While the height is significant, planner for developer Castlepoint
Numa, Drew Sinclair, told those on the Zoom meeting there are several facets to the design of the project which minimize impacts of that height. As well, he noted design elements would make it a contributor to cultural and environmental responsibilities. Sinclair also noted that planning guidelines in the downtown intensification area are distinctly different for side streets as opposed to Main Street itself. “Main Street needs people. It needs residents who are walking,” said Sinclair adding it’s “critical to understand..how it contributes to a post-carbon future.” To that end, he highlighted several aspects of the design which create a “green” approach to the build including a “planted or vegetative” rooftop, which will allow for water re-use on site as well as generate energy savings.
As well, upgraded windows will also reduce energy use. In terms of footprint, Sinclair noted their idea to go up - about 50 per cent of land will be covered by the build - allows for more “community space” and a spot where residents could have a growing area. Key for many in the discussion both Monday night and prior input received online was the impact on the two heritage buildings in play and parking. Sinclair noted not only would the two original buildings be fully restored during the building process, they are an imporant aspect of the overall design. He showed several examples of other projects where modern design was created in harmony with heritage buildings, such as Niagara Falls History Museum, as well as others in Toronto and Cambridge. As well, noted at several points,
was the rental unit aspect to the entire site. “It is an all-rental project,” noted Sinclair, pointing out the difference between condos and rental units. He explained the philosophy behind that is to provide much-needed rental units to serve the highest in demand category facing the Grimsby market, adding 60 per cent of the units will be for families (two bedrooms or larger). PUBLIC COMMENT Several area residents attended Monday’s meeting and addressed key areas of concern, including Sandra Yemm who lives nearby on Mountain Street. Yemm said the proposal would “change the harmonious balance of our downtown core” and noted the building would block views and cause shade issues. Sinclair noted design components See BUILD, Page 2