Planning Committee approves site plan for Canvas Brewing Co.

Redevelopment plans for the former Dollarama building located at 12 John Street have materialized, although they are still a little vague.

Planning staff brought forward the proposed site plan for the building, which will house Canvas Brewing Co., at Huntsville’s October 12 planning committee meeting.

The report is not clear on the exact uses being proposed but it would appear to not only include a beer brewing facility but some sort of restaurant with two outdoor patios—one off John Street as well as a rooftop patio. The main entrance to the building is proposed to be accessed off John Street.

Where the patrons and staff of the brewery and restaurant or pub are expected to park is also not clear. According to Huntsville planner Elizabeth Reimer’s report to committee, “The Zoning By-law states that when a shopping centre is located on more than one lot, or parts thereof are owned by different owners, the entire site on which the shopping centre is located shall be deemed to be one lot for the purpose of applying the various regulations. As such, the parking area abutting the subject property would provide the parking required for this development.”

In her report, Reimer also noted that because the area is under the influence of a former non-municipal waste disposal site, the applicant retained the services of Soil Engineers Ltd. to undertake a D4 Study which essentially evaluates the potential presence of contaminants and their impact to people and property, and suggested remediation.

“The study identified chloroform vapours in one of the groundwater samples collected from the site. The report’s author noted that the identified chloroform vapours are usually a byproduct of portable (sic) water chlorination and sometimes contained in landfill gasses (sic). The author concludes that if the proposed site development includes a slab on grade foundation with no basement, the likelihood of vapours intruding into the proposed building is low. As the building contains a crawlspace basement, staff have requested that the author clarify this recommendation and whether or not the same conclusion could be made given the existing conditions of this building. The author also noted that because the development will be connected to municipal water service, there is no drinking water well at the subject site that would pose concern for chloroform contamination,” she wrote.

The District of Muskoka also noted that a water and sewer servicing agreement must be entered into with the applicant, according to District Director of Water and Wastewater Operations, Marcus Firman. He indicated that although the building is connected to municipal water and sewer services, “the owner must verify existing services are adequate for their needs. Should services require upgrading all works shall be completed to District specifications including abandonment of existing services at owners expense. The report identifies multiple usages including a brewery and gathering place. The brewery raises concerns and compliance with District Sewer By-Laws 18-42, 86-19 and 93-36 will be enforced,” he stated.

Huntsville’s Accessibility Advisory Committee Chair, Debbie Kirwin, also expressed some concerns with the accessibility of the building’s redesign.

“The purpose of the upper deck is unclear. In a chat with one of the new owners, we understood it to be an outdoor pub area with food service and tables. If so, there doesn’t appear to be any accessible access such as a lift. It not only benefit(s) wheel chair users, but those with mobility limitations. With demographics indicating the boomer population numbers ever increasing it would be a wise move,” she said, noting that it would be less expensive to put one in now than later. “A lift would also benefit staff especially if the intent is to have a bar upstairs. Certainly access has been (a) serious consideration indicated by two stair cases. Accessibility access should be given the same attention,” she wrote.

Kirwin also expressed concerns with things like the type of door handles proposed, where accessible entrances and exits would be located, and the height of tables in the establishment. She also questioned where accessible parking would be located, and wrote: “Is that something that is yet to be negotiated with the owner of the parking lot?” she questioned, adding that accessible parking is a requirement of site plans under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Committee heard that other outstanding issues included a storm water management plan, a dark-sky-compliant lighting plan as well as exploring additional opportunities for landscaping along the building and within the proposed patios in order to “soften the existing hardscape.”

Yet despite many of the outstanding issues mentioned in the report, staff recommended that committee approve the site plan. “Any outstanding information is not anticipated to significantly alter the proposed site design as currently proposed, and as such staff are recommending that Planning Committee grant the applicant Approval, subject to conditions,” noted Reimer in her report.

Deputy Mayor Karin Terziano asked whether the issues expressed by Kirwin would be addressed when a building permit is issued. Reimer said Kirwin’s comments had been forwarded to the applicant and they “are going back and forth trying to resolve all the comments that were provided.”

Planning chair Councillor Nancy Alcock asked whether the approval from committee would be conditional on a number of the comments provided being met or considered. Reimer said that is correct. “So there are some additional materials that are required but the concept that you see won’t significantly change…”

Councillor Jonathan Wiebe said he’s excited with the design provided. “I think this is a long time coming and I just want to commend them for their efforts here. This is a big deal in this part of town… so I’m pleased to see it and I’m sure they’re going to work out the kinks.”

Alcock thanked Wiebe for his comments and said she should have echoed that. “It’s just when you see the accessibility… there were a lot of good comments in there and I have absolutely no doubt the applicant will work with the committee on that but I echo that, I think this is pretty exciting. This is a catalyst for a whole block of development so kudos to the applicant,” she said.

You can find the full planning report here.

Site plan for Huntsville’s newest brewery to be located at 12 John Street.

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