Cobourg Council Sides With Staff On Zoning

The rezoning of the building at 394 College Street was back before Cobourg Council. The owner had proposed converting the building to accommodate 4 and possibly 5 rental units. This angered local residents who packed the council gallery last August. Council deferred rezoning to have further input from the Planning Department. The subsequent report once again argued for the rezoning. Neighbourhood groups were back in opposition but this time Cobourg resident Richard Pope was among several delegations opposing a zoning change. He claimed that allowing up to 5 units would impact on the heritage quality of the neighbourhood. Council heard a delegation from David Sheffield, the Rev. Neil Ellis and Kristina Nairn of the Northumberland County Affordable Housing Committee. They argued that it is almost impossible to find rental accommodation in Cobourg. Council embarked on a lengthy debate and seemed worried that denying the change would lead to an OMB hearing Cobourg simply could not win. The rezoning was approved with only Councillor Suzanne Seguin voting in opposition.