"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday 3 November 2008

Allow Me To Explain

Several people responding to the Hanky- Panky Blog were unclear how and where the discussion came about. Though it was apparently not a hindrance to suggesting another time and place out of the public eye.

It happened at an Aurora Planning Board Meeting. The agenda item was a site plan proposal for three lots on Wellington Street. A single site plan for three separate lots is not the norm.

The house in question is a former vintage home currently used as a Spa but named as an Inn. Two rooms upstairs can be used for spa services. If memory serves me right a "Stop Work" order had to be issued against the owner previously for doing alterations without a permit. The site plan application is to allow the same rooms, plus two , to be used as "overnight accommodation".

It is my responsibility, as a Councillor, to understand a proposed change of use. I am part of the approving authority.

The term "Overnight Accommodation" covers shelter variously described in the town's Zoning Bylaw. Four rooms furnished with beds and showers upstairs to a spa in a vintage home on Wellington Street mere yards from the central intersection of Town is not one.

Had the use been accepted as presented and approved by council, a new zoning definition would be created by default. In my judgement, it would not be a good thing. I needed to emphasise the point. I know of no better way than pointing out potential illegal use of "Overnight Accommodation"

My debating skills are the result of many years of practice. They are apparently acceptable to those who trust me to represent them. I am not about to change to suit a bunch of prissy misses who regard themselves, with no justification, as arbiters of taste, function and legality in the Art of Politics.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think that sometimes other councillors simply don't have the brains to understand the points you're trying to make. I bet they understood after they read about the arrests at the Newmarket spa that had been offering 'bonus services' however.

Anonymous said...

I don't get it. You wouldn't allow this business person to open a spa with overnight accomodation because the one in Newmarket was conducting illegal activities. Because this person wants to have overnight accomodations something illegal must be happening. A bit of a stretch if you ask me.

It's like saying you can't get a driver's license because people drink and drive - which is a criminal code offence. I agree anyone that applies for a license could potentially drink and drive, but do we publicly call all of them drunkards and criminals? Just because they apply for a driver's license.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said "Because this person wants to have overnight accomodations something illegal must be happening." I think that the point of the post about Hanky Panky is that the zoning wasn't clear. Clear zoning doesn't allow you to run a coffee shop out of your residentially zoned home. The spa in question is a commercial establishment, not a hotel. By stating that there are overnight accomodations, it mixes up commercial/hotel zones. I believe that's what Cllr Buck was trying to clarify. The spa itself isn't the issue, although it's quite the coincidence that a spa in Newmarket DID get caught doing something naughty.

Anonymous said...

This 'spa' was part of "Doors Open" in August so some residents of the town have had the opportunity to see the facilities. The owner seems to be trying to target the demographic of clientele that are unlikely to use their facilities. On a busy road in the middle of a town. In my opinion not the restful/rejuvinating spa experience that anyone would want, but especially not for those with the cash to get the full experience of overnight accommodation in a beautiful setting elsewhere.
The decor of the place would certainly suit a knocking shop, so Anonymous 4:20 might be on to something.

Anonymous said...

If this is Sormeh Spa, their website states "Craniosacral Therapy - Turkish bath and Overnight spa"

If they're already not abiding by the zoning and bylaws, already operating an overnight service, who's to say what other services they might already have.

I read the article online about how you said bordello and how the lady was visibly shaken. The article says you explained your side. I'd be visibly shaken if I were you, Ev, as the applicant said you were from another generation and probably didn't know about these things (or something to that effect). Keep fightin' for what's right for Aurora.

Anonymous said...

Both my wife and myself have used the services of Sormeh. She is a regular to their manicure, pedicure business and for a anniversary gift we did the couples lunch/massage. To even think that there is anything un-towards going on here is crazy. The place in Newmarket that was a "spa" was clearly a body-rub parlour.

As a rule, I agree with Evelyn on her stands. However, I am afraid that she is way off base on this and the others that agree with her are looking for something that does not exist.

If you are looking for illegal bawdy shop operations, the owner will certainly not apply to the town for the proper zoning. One needs to look to Oakridges for this illegal type of operation. There is one on the west side of Yonge in the same plaza as Wild Wing. There used to be another in the Subway plaza beside the post office.

As far as offering services that they are not zoned for, perhaps they have it listed on the web site under the idea that zoning would not get held up with the Victorian morals of council.

I honestly can't figure out this council at all. We see business applying for permits for a retail outlet that is purposely smaller than what they want/need and then after building it, apply for an expansion (Canadian Tire comes to mind). Then an existing business applies to the town to add a service to their menu and it gets held up like this. As a town, do we want business here or not?

Anonymous said...

Yes, we most certainly do, and I think Evelyn would be the first to agree. We want Business like this spa, I am sure there is a good business going on here. The business owner has to conform to the zoning just as you would. If we all play by the same rules we all win.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous who thinks that we all looking for "something that does not exist". I don't think we are looking for something that does not exists, the fact is it does not exist, here. I think Evelyn's point was what's to say it isn't or won't if the owner doesn't give a good description of what is going on and what about the next owner? Protect yourself. Get the proper zoning to protect yourself, the Town and the adjoining neighbourhood! Be realistic. The world is full of wild and wonderful things. Anything can happen anywhere!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous @ 4:52pm posted "Then an existing business applies to the town to add a service to their menu and it gets held up like this. "

Every situation is differnt. Every applicant is differnt. Every COUNCIL is differnt (Canadian Tire was last term). That's what's such a challenge, councillor's are PEOPLE too, with ideas that ebb and flow. There are no two citizens the same, or businesses the same in our town.

If all you sell is hamburgers, you don't advertize sausage on your website.