Development of former hospital site moving forward, still without firm date for demolition

A proposal to build condos and a seniors residence on the site of the old St. Joseph's hospital site on Sudbury's lakefront is inching its way through the planning process.

However, the question of when the first step, the eagerly-awaited demolition of the derelict hospital, will be taken remains uncertain.

City councillor Pauline Fortin sits on the planning committee.

"I'm very supportive of this and very happy to see this coming forward," she said.

"But it sure would be a beautiful gift to the citizens of Sudbury if that hospital could be torn down prior to four-and-a-half years.

That timeline was one floated by Kevin Jarus, of Tulloch Engineering, who appeared at the public hearing on behalf of Panoramic Properties. It has has owned the site, facing Bell Park on Ramsey Lake, since 2010.

It sure would be a beautiful gift to the citizens of Sudbury if that hospital could be torn down prior to four-and-a-half years.- Pauline Fortin, Sudbury councillor and planning committee member

He described the next steps as entering into a site plan control agreement with the city which he estimated would take a year, potentially more.

Then, he said, the company would go through the building permit and building design process, with shovels in the ground in just over four years.

Although he refused to say exactly when demolition would take place, he did say his understanding was that the company would take action once the necessary approvals for development were in place within the next couple of years.

"Owing to the fact that this hearing is explicitly meant for the consideration of land use planning application under the Planning Act, we would not be prepared at this time to discuss the timelines for the demolition of the existing structure on the property," he told the committee.

Following the meeting, Jarus said there is no legal obstacle to tearing down the building now.

"But at the same time, of course, in Canada and Western society we have the principle of ownership rights and it is the current owner's right to demolish the structure and proceed with demolition on a timeline that he deems fit," he said.

Panoramic Properties sought permission from the planning committee to exceed residential density on the four-acre site as well as build a taller building at a public hearing November 25.

In Canada and Western society we have the principle of ownership rights and it is the current owner's right to not demolish the structure and proceed with demolition on a timeline that he deems fit.- Kevin Jarus, Tulloch Engineering on Panoramic Properties proposal for 700 Paris St.

It's planning three towers, one of which would contain 109 units for seniors and would include nursing stations and common spaces.

The other two would accommodate 421 condos and apartments.

There are plans for up to three levels of underground parking and a restaurant.

One of the three towers proposed for the site would be 20 storeys.

The committee also heard from a handful of members of the public both in favour and against the project.

David King owns a parcel of land on Facer Street behind the old hospital and expressed concern about storm water management and urged the committee to proceed carefully.

"This property is one of the premier development sites in the city and needs to be developed with thought and care," he said. "Whatever is recommended by your committee for approval by Council will be your legacy, so let this not be known as the mistake by the lake."

A retired engineer, Phil Hopkins, who lives a few doors down from the site, spoke in favour of the development.

He said that Sudbury needs a vision and a facelift.

"Our current profile to the world or to Ontario, Canada is a super stack," he said, noting that it's being decommissioned and will be torn down soon.

"So that's gone regardless. But that super stack, if anyone's interested, was the largest point source in North America of sulfur dioxide; acid rain, right? It's not where we should be looking going forward."

Hopkins said the three proposed towers could form a new skyline for Sudbury.

The committee followed the staff recommendation to approve the motions and voted unanimously in favour of it.

Before voting in favour, councillor Bill Leduc asked a series of questions seemingly aimed at finding ways to make sure Panoramic adhered to timelines to move forward on the project as proposed, but was told by staff that the Land Use Planning Act would not allow for those kinds of conditions.

The motions now go to council for consideration.