Hospital condos get planning committee go-ahead

A plan to convert an old Sudbury hospital into high-end condominiums is one step closer to being realized, despite some strong opposition from residents.

On Monday night, the city's planning committee unanimously approved plans to convert the Paris Street building into 210 condo units.

It was a decision that residents weren't happy about it, including Hazel Ecclestone.

"We need to stop and think of a 10-20 year plan, rather than five minutes," she said.

"We need to get some foresight like William and Catherine Bell had."

Ecclestone is among several Sudburians who are worried about private development near the parkland the Bell Family gave to the city decades ago.

Despite those concerns — and complaints about lake views and increased traffic —city councillors had few negative words for the developers.

"I can't think of too many things that come before planning that are 100 per cent, one way or the other," said councillor and planning committee chair Dave Kilgour.

"But I see this as almost the perfect blend."

Tax revenue can 're-surface' roads

But the proposal has brought up regrets that the city didn't buy that land and add it to Bell Park.

"We are so quick to surrender the citizen's rights and to ignore the history of our own city," said city resident Evan Roberts.

Even former mayor John Rodriguez, who some blame for letting the hospital land get away while he was in office, spoke out about how Sudburians don't want development, but want taxes to go down.

"We all want to go to Heaven, but we don't want to die," he quipped.

All five city councillors on the planning committee supported the condo plan and the $1 million tax dollars it will add to city bank accounts each year.

"That's easily three to four roads in every ward that are going to be re-surfaced," Councillor Fabio Belli said about the possible tax revenue.

The developer hopes to begin the work of converting the old general hospital into condominiums as soon as possible. But first, the idea needs to pass another vote by Sudbury city councillors scheduled for next month.

Some residents have said they will look at appealing the case to the Ontario Municipal Board, which could delay construction for a few years.