By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
HAGERSVILLE — The Hagersville Community Centre has been sold once again. Following the Hagersville Chamber of Commerce’s initial sale of the Community Centre in support of the in-development Library + Active Living Centre last fall, the centre recently found itself up for sale again, with the new owners expressing an interest in turning it into senior’s apartments/condos.
According to Century 21 broker George Lou Karmiris, who facilitated the sale, the centre is now owned by developers who feel there is a “shortage of seniors apartments or condos and want to have an option for seniors who lived all their lives in Hagersville and want to stay in the community.”
As an example, Karmiris mentioned long-time farmers who have lived here and farmed the land for 50-plus years, noting the importance of providing living options close to home, as opposed to having to leave the community to find appropriate housing.
Current plans under consideration include an addition to the existing building to create more units within, something that Karimiris acknowledges would require support from Haldimand County to achieve.
The decision to make the units exclusive to seniors is designed to create a “more comfortable feeling for them as they have more in common with other seniors that will live in the same building.”
“We’re hoping Haldimand County supports this whole project and likes the idea,” said Karmiris.
Haldimand’s Manager of Planning and Development Shannon Van Dalen shared her thoughts on some of the requirements that would need to be met to facilitate such a plan, related to existing zoning and other considerations.
“The property is presently zoned ‘Community Institutional (IC)’ zone, which does not permit residential uses as a whole; only existing single detached dwellings are recognized,” said Van Dalen. “The lands are designated Community Commercial in the Haldimand County Official Plan. Some residential uses are permitted; however, the street-level portion of a building is to be maintained for commercial purposes. Planning applications would be required to facilitate any proposed housing at this location.”
With no official proposals submitted, she said it’s still too early to determine whether County staff would ultimately support the idea or not, however she said the County recognizes that additional housing forms are needed throughout the community.
While acknowledging that need, Van Dalen also said that currently, there are no applications submitted to the County for senior-exclusive housing.
“This could be a potential benefit or appropriate redevelopment of the building, however, without any concepts to speak to it is difficult to provide any commentary,” she concluded.
Karmiris said that while project remains in early stages, with the developers not yet deciding whether they would develop the property into rental-style apartments or condos for sale, interested seniors looking for more information can contact him at 519-758-6910.
