The historical home slated to become a mental health clinic is a go again after the owners won an appeal saving it from the cost burden associated with burying power lines adjacent to the property.
“I was thrilled to get the ruling in our favour. It’s a huge weight off our shoulders – I’m grateful the appeal board exists,” said Michelle Copithorne, business manager for Dara Mental Health.
Representing the business, Copithorne told mayor and council last July the intention was not to tear down the building but to restore the rooms as best as possible while ensuring the building is energy efficient and up to date with modern building codes.
At a council meeting last year, Copithorne said she was hopeful to have the clinic open in July. The clinic hit a snag when the planning department added a Differed Service Agreement (DSA) condition to the development permit stating the owner would share the total costs associated with burying the power lines on Ross Avenue.
The town explained a DSA is commonly used by municipalities to help pay for infrastructure improvements that require off-site levy support for future development.
The business owners contested the DSA stating: it was an inappropriate use of a DSA, unknown expenses registered on a title negatively affects property value, residents of the East End are unaware of the bylaw interpretation and the DSA jeopardized critical mental health services.
“In undertaking the considerable expense associated with a complete restoration of the historic McNamee property, it has been Dara’s sincerest desire to offer the community of Cochrane a unique opportunity … because of condition No. 12, these plans are now in jeopardy,” the appeal stated.
The appeal was presented to the Cochrane Subdivision and Appeal Board on May 30 and approved.
The decision stated an agreement to have the developer bury the lines would be unnecessary and said the town did not provide clear enough evidence to support the condition for the application to enter into a DSA.
“I’m happy the appeal board saw the logic in our arguments,” Copithorne said.
Now with the development permit ready to go, the owners said they will start construction in August or September and are hopeful to be open by early 2018.
