A development permit application for the former North Star Inn building stirred some debate at the August 25 committee of the whole meeting, when council was split on whether to issue notice on the application or defer the application for later.
The reason was the applicant, Kiticorp, had not provided all of the documents that are normally required in a development permit application.
The company cited time constraints as the reason some information was missing, namely graphics depicting the building’s finished look.
Mario Feldhoff moved for council to refer the application to the Advisory Planning Commission (APC) and to grant approval to issue public notice to neighbours about the application.
That motion ultimately failed however, with Mary Murphy, Rob Goffinet and Edwin Empinado opposed. It was a straight 3-3 vote, which automatically defeats a motion.
Mayor Joanne Monaghan swayed the second vote, for council to defer the application process until all the documents are submitted, when she voted with Murphy, Empinado and Goffinet, after she had supported the earlier motion.
“I think that the APC and staff will hopefully be able to work with the proponent to get the additional information, renderings, or whatever else that might be required to make a more informed decision,” said Feldhoff in defending moving the application forward.
But those on the opposite side of the council table felt the rules should be followed.
“I would not be confident in putting the diagram with A-to-F with lines all over it to the APC,” said Goffinet referring to the semi-crude submissions in the application presented.
Phil Germuth countered that nearby residents would likely be happy to see exterior finishes happen to the building even if they couldn’t see the final product first.
Mary Murphy however argued that standards need to be kept.
“I still believe we have certain standards we want to maintain in the community,” she said.
The eventual decision puts the ball in Kiticorp’s court to submit a more comprehensive application before council will consider moving forward.