There’s a proposal to redevelop a former long-term care home in Owen Sound into an apartment building.
A public meeting was held at city hall Monday for a zoning bylaw amendment application concerning 1115 10th Street East, a property which used to house Georgian Heights long-term care facility.
The building has been vacant since 2022, when Georgian Heights closed as Southbridge Care Homes opened its new 160-bed facility on 16th Avenue East.
The city received an application from Paaji Inc, new owner of the former Georgian Heights property, to convert the building and construct an addition to create 36 apartment units. It would be a three-storey structure.
Planning Consultant Ron Davidson told councillors the apartments would be one- and two-bedroom rentals.
“This is an excellent use of a building that’s been sitting empty for years,” Davidson says. “We’re introducing rental housing. And that’s something the city needs.”
The property needs to be rezoned from institutional to general residential to permit the proposed use.
Residents of a neighbouring townhouse condominium community are objecting to the new build. Bayview Heights’ condo board sent a letter to the city expressing concerns about changes to “our neighbourhood’s character.” Increased noise, traffic and privacy concerns were also communicated to council members by neighbours who attended city hall for the public meeting Monday.
“We are very concerned about this build. I’m sorry we have to do this. But we are opposed. We have collected lots of signatures,” says Vivian Bignell, Bayview Heights condo board member.
Council approved a recommendation to have staff continue to process the rezoning application.
A recommendation report is among the next steps in the city’s process. Staff will be reviewing comments and including them in the report, which will be brought before council July 8.
