Council greenlights 112-unit development for Cruickshank property

Calling it one of the better adaptive reuse proposals they’ve seen, Fort Erie councillors have okayed a mixed-use build for Garrison Road on property that’s home to the historically significant Cruickshank house.

Councillors were able to look past some misgivings about potential parking issues to allow official plan and zoning bylaw amendments that pave the way for a 112-unit build that will include commercial space for a restaurant, clinic and pharmacy. The residential units, built in two five-storey apartments, will be geared towards older adults.

The plans have been designed to ensure the existing Cruikshank House–a heritage designated building–becomes a “focal point” of the property as it gets turned into a commercial retail shop.

“(It’s) not as an afterthought to the property…actually making it a focal point,” said Councillor Nick Dubanow of the plans for the heritage home. “I think that’s what adaptive reuse should be about.”

The project is being brought forward by Dino Kentros, a member of the well-known local family who have operated The Barrel Restaurant for decades. At a previous meeting he said the plan was to keep the Cruikshank house front and centre.

“This development is exactly what we want on Garrison Road and I think checks many boxes that future developers continue to look at,” said Councillor Tom Lewis.

Despite the support, the proposal didn’t check every box for every councillor. Some still had fears over allowing fewer parking spots that is currently required. Councillor Joan Christensen said she remained uncomfortable with the reduced parking proposal.

“I still have concerns that we may have challenges with respect to the usage,” she said.

Staff said there were two factors that led them to recommend allowing the reduced parking. First is that the property is along the public transit route, and the second was the potential to use parking from the pharmacy lot to offset evening needs for residents.

Additionally, Dubanow said with older people being the target demographic, there will likely be fewer two-vehicle households on the property.

Staff acknowledged that with approval, any future parking issues would be difficult for the municipality to fix.

The approval does come with a string attached as a holding provision stipulates the developers must demonstrate local sanitary sewer capacity and pay for upgrades or mitigation features, should they be required.

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