The Scotsman Hotel’s owners are looking to make their establishment a place where guests can eat, drink and be merry.
They’re seeking permission from the town to serve alcohol in a designated area on the ground floor and the courtyard, which they would call the “hospitality area.” Currently, guests can only drink alcohol in their rooms.
Guests are also limited to breakfast as part of their stay. If their plan is approved, guests could purchase other meals.
Madison Vernooy of MHBC Planning, representing the Scotsman, presented the proposal to the town’s planning committee of the whole. The request involves rezoning the land to a site-specific “established residential” property to allow this endeavour.
“Country inns are allowed as residential dwellings,” Vernooy told councillors during the meeting last Tuesday.
The Scotsman, located at 95 Johnson St. in the Queen-Picton heritage district, is a two-storey historic building that has operated as a hotel and country inn since 2002. It has six rooms, each accommodating two guests.
“This will encourage patrons to stay longer and invest into Niagara-on-the-Lake,” Vernooy said.
The building’s occupancy limit is 57 people. Any gathering larger than that would require an event permit, though Vernooy said the inn intends to operate “well below the occupancy limit.”
Coun. Gary Burroughs questioned why the venture was not considered commercial. Vernooy explained the difference lies in scale and purpose, comparing it to a hotel lounge versus a country inn.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa asked why events would involve up to 57 people when the inn only accommodates 12 guests. Vernooy said the hospitality area would also be available to private members, not just overnight guests.
The property includes eight parking spaces, with no additional parking requested. No physical changes are proposed, so a heritage permit is not required. The proposal also does not allow for commercial cooking equipment on site.
Blair McArthur, who owns the Scotsman with his wife, Brenda, shared a personal story about how Burroughs once had a restaurant cleared so he could propose to his wife.
McArthur said he wants to offer similar meaningful experiences at the inn: “The Scotsman is an extension of my wife and myself.”
Resident Brian Bridgeway shared his support for the Scotman’s plans, praising both the proposed use and the preservation of the heritage property.
“This is a beautiful restoration of a heritage building,” he said.
Town planner John Federici, who presented the project, said the town received 24 public comments on the plan, all in support of it.
