Impound yard location approved

LEAMINGTON — At the November 9 meeting of Leamington Council, a by-law amendment was approved by council to allow an impound yard at a property located at 124 Oak Street West.

The recommendation by administration came in as a request to change the zoning of the property to specific Commercial Highway Zoning (C2-20) to permit an automobile impound yard and shop.

A public meeting was held in the early stages of the council meeting, where council heard from the property owner and tenant as to the plans for the impound yard.

Several conditions were laid forth to allow for the amendment, including maximum area of land to be used, a provision of five parking spaces, and front and rear setbacks.

With the property being an impound yard, it would mean that vehicles towed there would be there on a temporary basis and not long-term.

It would be used for impounded vehicles and the yard would work in partnership with OPP, through police-initiated incidents. No concerns were raised by surrounding neighbours. Councillor Trevor Jones was concerned about the activity around the yard.

“In hearing the particulars and it seems like a sort of passive activity,” he said. “I’m concerned with the security of the yard with regard to fluid spills, potential fire hazards and other disruptive activity.”

Jones said that vehicles from catastrophic collisions and even criminal activity would be taken there. His concern was that the activity, especially at night, would be disruptive to neighbours.

Property owner Jamie Koop and his agent, David French of Storey Samways Planning Ltd., were on hand to answer any question and concerns. French immediately addressed Councillor Jones’ concerns about the lot. “It’s effectively a parking lot,” he said. “As far as the question about fluids, that issue is covered under various environmental regulations.”

French said that parking lots are required to have water and oil separators as part of the storm water management system and will be required during site planning.

The tenant has applied to the OPP for approval to be a part of their impound program, according to Koop, who owns the abutting property.

When it came time for council to vote to accept the recommendation, only Councillor Jones voted against it, with Councillors Dunn, Hammond, Wilkinson and Deputy Mayor Verbeke voting for the recommendation. Councillor Paul Tiessen was not present for the vote.