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Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Orono Weekly Times - 3 SHOPPERS Continued from Front property to bring forward a design that respects the historical theme of the downtown core," Kirby said in his presentation Monday. He urged the developer to pick up on the design elements of the structures at the other downtown corners, and to use restraint in their signage. Representatives from the Newcastle Business Improvement Area and the Community Improvement Plan Committee echoed Kirby's message. They welcomed the big box store anchor for the downtown core, but they did not want a big box store building at the four corners of their village. The public meeting held at Clarington Municipal Centre on Monday morning was to deal with the application from F&I Gateway Investments to permit the construction of a 1,407square meter retail commercial building, including pharmacy and retail postal outlet and associated parking area, on the south east corner of King Ave. and Mill Street in Newcastle. The application deals with five existing properties. F & I has proposed the demolition of the commercial buildings at 5, 11, and 19 King Avenue West, and the house at 57 Mill Street, which was converted into a commercial establishment in 2005. The applicant is seeking to sever the semidetached dwellings on Emily Street from the proposal to be retained as residential dwellings. A parking lot of 28 spaces will be accessed via Mill Streets and Emily Street in the proposal. Residents in the semidetached dwellings on Emily Street voice concerns regarding increased traffic on their street. A former resident of the house at 57 Mill Street asked that the house be preserved or relocated rather than demolished. Another gentleman expressed concern for the residential tenants on the upper floor of the commercial establishments, who would be evicted if the development proceeds. There was also concern expressed regarding preservation of the mature trees at the corner of Mill and Emily Streets Pauline Storkes, owner of 5 and 11 King Ave. East, said she would love to keep the building which she was born in 85 years ago, if it was viable. "But it isn't," she said. "We have to move on with the times," she told committee members. Storkes said she felt confident the developers would construct a building that council could be proud of. "And if they don't, I'll be back, because I love this community," she stated. The developer produced poster boards with a conceptual design for the proposed development, which Kirby later called "neo-historical." Speaking personally, Kirby said the proposed red brick story-and-a-half building was not quite what he was looking for, but it is a start. "I think council got the message loud and clear," he said, following the meeting. Architect for the developer, Barry Johnson explained they were not trying to mimic surrounding buildings in their design. "We don't want to make a cheap imitation," he stated. "We want to draw on a theme and make a different building that still fits in." Mayor Jim Abernethy said he was pleased that Shoppers wanted to stay in downtown Newcastle and that the Municipality had to work with them to find a compromise on the design of the building and the other issues rising from the public meeting. Councillor Trim raised concerns with the proposed entrance to the parking lot from Mill Street, which is a Regional Road. Comments expressed at the public meeting will be considered and reviewed by municipal planning staff as they continue to process the application. Due to the amount of public interest generated by this proposed redevelopment, planning staff have recommended another public meeting be held in Newcastle, at the developer's expense, to receive more public feedback. How do you like them apples? Pickering Orchards is expanding its operations by building this apple-storage facility along Hwy. 115/35. The structure will hold up to 9,000 4'x4' bins of apples in a controlled atmosphere. Steve Lennox, of Pickering Orchards, is behind the building being constructed at 3520 Highway 115/35, north of the Forum Restaurant. The building, which, according to Lennox, has generated a lot of interest in the community, and from passers- by along the highway, will be a controlled-atmosphere storage facility for apples. Lennox, a third generation apple farmer, told the Orono Times last week that he is expanding his North Pickering operation, by adding a 28,000-square foot storage facility on his newly acquired highway property. It is his expectation that the building will be completed by the end of July, in time for this year's apple crop. He also plans to plant an apple orchard on the 61-acre highway property. DUCA? Are you in an abusive relationship? Bethesda House 905-623-6050 1-800-338-3397 (For women with or without children.) DUCA is not your average bank. With a 5 year RRSP at 3.50%* you'll discover why it pays to bank at DUCA. Visit us at duca.com Reduce Reuse Recycle *Rate subject to change without notice ~ Happenings ~ Saturday, February 6, 2010 - Mardi Gras - New Orleans Style, Newcastle Community Hall. Cajun Food, Cajun Music, Cajun Hijinks, Dance, Door Prize - Trip to Quebec City. $65 per person. Tickets available at A Gift of Art, Newcastle. 905-987-2264. Saturday, February 6, 2010 - Chocolate Workshop, Call For More Details, A Gift of Art, Newcastle. 905-987-2264. Tuesday, February 9, 2010 - Annual Meeting, Orono Cemetery Board & Lot Holders, 2 p.m. in the Lang Memorial Chapel. Saturday, February 13, 2010 - Valentine's Luncheon & Bake Sale, 11 am - 1:30 pm, St. George's Anglican Church, Edward St., Newcastle, $6. Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Sausage Supper, Orono United Church, 5-7 pm, adults - $9; children under 12 - $5; tickets at the Church, or at the door, or call Laverne or June Heard 905-983-5169. 29 King Ave., W., Newcastle Ontario, L1B 1H2 905-987-1133 · Fireplaces · Mantels · Hearth Accessories · Antique Cookstoves · BBQ's · Patio Furniture · Awnings · Gas Piping