A new neighbour is coming to Four Mile Creek Road.
Niagara-on-the-Lake council’s committee of the whole unanimously approved the rezoning of lands behind June Floral and Garden last Tuesday, clearing the way for the construction of a single detached house behind the business.
The shop is located just off Niagara Stone Road in Virgil at 1634 Four Mile Creek Rd.
Joanne Bassie, owner of June Floral and Garden, told The Lake Report the property’s landlord is building the house.
“All I can tell you is that the landlord of this property wants to build his house at the rear of this property,” she said. “I don’t know why or when.”
According to the town’s draft bylaw, the property owner is Rory Doerwald.
Coun. Andrew Niven called the situation “unique,” noting the mix of commercial and residential zoning.
“It seems unique to me where commercial and residential are in the same area,” he said.
He asked Kirsten McCauley, director of community and development services, if she foresaw any conflicts related to noise, garbage or similar issues.
McCauley said the town’s official plan allows for secondary residential uses, noting examples of mixed-use buildings with residential units above commercial space.
She added the town wants to ensure that commercial use of the property — particularly June Floral and Garden — remains “prominent.”
A holding symbol is currently in place on the property. Under Ontario’s Planning Act, this tool prevents development until specific conditions are met — in this case, an archaeological assessment.
“The zoning bylaw amendment includes a holding provision that would require archaeological clearance before lifting the holding,” said Marah Minor, the town’s communications co-ordinator.
In the meantime, she said, the holding provision bars the property from being used for development. The developer would need to submit a request to remove the holding at the site.
Coun. Gary Burroughs questioned whether the holding symbol should also cover Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority concerns.
“I want to make sure they’re holding for all the right reasons,” he said.
McCauley said there would be an environmental buffer zone — a “no touch” area — and confirmed the archaeological assessment has not yet been completed. Minor told The Lake Report there is no timeline for when it will be done.
“The owner intends to conduct stage one to two of the assessment this fall, with the outcome determining if additional work is required or if clearance will be granted,” she said.
Niven and Coun. Sandra O’Connor also raised concerns about the number of trees coming down.
According to town documents, the proposed house will be up to 10 metres tall and occupy 444.5 square metres of land.
Doerwald did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
