Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Changes to a highly-anticipated development beside the Komoka Wellness Centre were approved by Middlesex Centre council at its July 3rd meeting. The project, which has been years in the making, involves at mix of residential and commercial uses as well as a public square.
“Over time things have changed,” said planner Tim Williams of the need for amendments to the initial vision. “From a high-level perspective we’re looking at going from five buildings that were a mix of four and five stories to two buildings; one six storey, one eight storey,” said Jerzy Smolarek with Siv-ik Planning & Design.
The changes were driven by several factors according to Smolarek. The first relates to proposed office space that’s no longer needed by the municipality because of renovations to the Coldstream municipal building. Council was also told that a technical analysis revealed a high-water table that would “throw a wrench” into underground parking.
With the reduced need for office space, council was told there would be more room for residential and commercial units. A u-shaped design for one of the buildings will incorporate parking adjacent to a green space. “It means there isn’t going to be a sea of parking. It also means there isn’t going to be a parking structure that everyone can see,” said Williams.
“The public square has increased in size as a result of this reconfiguration,” added Williams saying that it’s no longer a “dog leg” in shape but more of a rectangle. Council was also told that the public square will increase in size by approximately 440 square meters.
“We believe this updated version continues to implement the principals of the original master plan,” Smolarek told council.
“I really like this concept. It’s hard to believe it’s coming to fruition,” enthused Ward 5 councillor Frank Berze. “This is truly going to be the centre of Komoka,” added Berze.
Ward 4 Councillor Sue Cates asked about the possible ratio of condominiums to rental units and was told that’s yet to be determined.
