Elora Mill eyeing six building expansion along the Grand River
The owners of the Elora Mill are planning an expansion which could see six more mixed-use buildings added to the south side of the Grand River.
Pearle Hospitality, which owns the hotel and spa, is asking council for a zoning amendment to the property purchased by the developer in 2012.
"The zoning has to reflect the mix of uses to reflect that property," said Kelly Linton, Mayor of the Township of Centre Wellington.
Linton said the proposal would see condominiums, a hotel building and some retail space.
"The application being brought forward is for minor allowances to address changes in the already approved Elora Mill master plan from 2012," a spokesperson for Pearle Hospitality said in an email. "The Elora Mill has already obtained the necessary planning approvals to construct the hotel, condominium, retail stores, and restaurant space that is being proposed."
The statement continued: "The Elora Mill Master Plan for the south site was approved as a mixed-use community by Township Council in 2013. This includes the hotel, retail commercial buildings, and residential units shown on the project rendering. The main purpose of the current application is to permit the addition of one storey of height to the already approved buildings."
Pearle Hospitality said it is proposing the additional storey to help with the housing demand in Centre Wellington.
"With the hundreds of new jobs that have been created and with many more to come, we are trying to address the housing that will be required," the company said. "While we continue with the planning approvals, we are working on restoring our heritage assets and improving the infrastructure to service the expansion."
But the proposal has drawn mixed reaction from residents. Some locals expressed concerns over traffic or the community's quaint image, while others support the growth and potential to boost tourism.
"I was quite shocked at the size of it, it's monstrous," said Elora resident Renate Karger, who has lived in the community for 28 years.
Mayor Linton says while he hears residents' concerns, he thinks the expansion will benefit the township.
"(I) trust Pearle Hospitality and the Mill based on what they've done today in Elora," he said.
A public consultation meeting will be held at the end of June.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Amber Alert issued for two-year-old allegedly abducted in Regina
An Amber Alert was issued for two-year-old Holdan Keewatin Sunday afternoon, after the Regina Police Service asked for public assistance in the search for the child.

Help on the way for central Newfoundland fire Premier says is largest since 1961
The rapid growth of a long-burning forest fire in central Newfoundland has triggered a state of emergency in the area and the expansion of an outdoor fire ban to the entire province.
Air Canada denying passenger compensation claims for staff shortages, citing safety
Air Canada denied a customer complaint and instructed employees to classify flight cancellations caused by staff shortages as a "safety" problem, which would exclude travellers from compensation under federal regulations. That policy remains in place.
These are some of the heat records broken in Canada so far this year
Canada's summer of heat waves continues this weekend, with warnings issued in four provinces. CTVNews.ca looks at some of the heat records broken already this year in Canada.
Multiple people in hospital, suspect shot after machete attack on Vancouver's Granville Street
Five people, including a suspect, were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a violent incident that drew a massive police presence to downtown Vancouver's main entertainment district Saturday night.
Montreal Pride parade cancelled hours before event due to lack of volunteers
Montreal's Pride Parade has been cancelled due to a lack of volunteers able to guarantee a secure event.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy rules out talks if Russia holds referendums
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday that if Russia proceeded with referendums in occupied areas of his country on joining Russia, there could be no talks with Ukraine or its international allies.
How Biden's new approach has led to legacy-defining wins
Over five decades in Washington, Joe Biden knew that the way to influence was to be in the room where it happens. But in the second year of his presidency, some of Biden's most striking, legacy-defining legislative victories came about by staying out of it.
BREAKING | Ceasefire between Palestinians, Israel takes effect in Gaza
A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants took effect late Sunday in a bid to end nearly three days of violence that killed dozens of Palestinians and disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of Israelis.