Sotheby’s real estate trailer stays put, with landscaping and fire-resistant wall
Posted By Matt Day
Posted 2 months ago
Glenn and Nancy Brazeau have been through a lot in the last month, ever since a devastating fire ravished their Sotheby's real estate office on Queen Street.
At Monday's council meeting, members of the community rallied and spoke to councillors on behalf of Sotheby's regarding the site of their new home in a trailer beside Niagara Home Bakery.
Last week, a planning staff report said the temporary trailer was not in accordance with some town bylaws, including front and side setbacks, and that it should be moved to comply.
The report also stated the trailer's "proportions, height, façade elements and overall appearance do not complement or enhance adjacent historic buildings."
A heritage permit was issued to the Brazeaus, provided they comply with a 10-foot front setback in order to "reinforce its temporary nature . . . and blend in more quietly."
Eight supporters asked councillors to reconsider the recommendation made by planning staff.
One of those who spoke was Lisa Simpson from Simpson's Pharmacy. She referenced a fire that gutted the family business, and the fact that the Simpsons continued to operate their business out of a trailer, as Sotheby's is doing.
She said the trailer shouldn't be seen as an eyesore to the Old Town, and instead fits in quite well with the rest of the buildings.
"I walk my dog down Queen Street every day and the first time I saw [the trailer] I thought, 'Wow, what a great job they have done in creating an office space'," she said.
"As a fellow business owner, I would implore council to please allow them to get on with their business and allow it to thrive."
The Brazeaus have already told councillors that moving the trailer to comply with the bylaws would be detrimental to their business and that removing the front landscaping as suggested by planning staff would make the trailer stand out even more.
"In the past week, whether I walked down the street, went to the bank, went grocery shopping or ate at a restaurant, it has been repeated to me over and over what a remarkable job we did in making the trailer fit in and how nice it looks," said Nancy Bailey Brazeau.
She suggested a compromise to the planning staff recommendation.
What she offered, and what council later approved, was that the trailer be allowed the zero-foot front setback with landscaping and that the Brazeaus apply a three-quarter inch fire-rated drywall for fire resistance.
Councillor Dennis Dick defended Stephen Bedford and the planning staff, saying they were just doing their job to enforce bylaws.
"Staff are there to make sure the bylaws we put in place are recognized. It's then up to council to vary them if so required," he said. "Having said that . . . it seems to me anyone driving down the street, for the most part, can't see it's a trailer."
Fellow councillor Terry Flynn suggested a motion to allow the trailer to remain for no longer than 10 months with the stipulations the Brazeaus agreed upon.
"I'm absolutely happy with the decision made," said Brazeau following the meeting
"I was looking for a compromise and I think we worked one out. I, in no way, have any hard feelings toward the planning department as they were just doing their job. The process worked, I had the chance to tell my story and it makes me feel good knowing I have that kind of support."
