lV4tk~.) Non- profit building for seniors rejectedl Surprise visitor SANTA CLAUS paid an unexpected visit on Dec. 15 to seniors engoying Lunches Out, the meal pro- gram held at the Knights of Columbus Hall iu downtown Wbitby three times a week. Hlel Manor provides lunches for the Coemmumety Care-' sponsored event. Chria Bovie-Fre. Pr photo Favorig a seniors' apartment building in the downtown area but opposing the proposed dei and height, menibers of WhitbTyV planning committee on Monday rejected the plIan by the Durham Region Non Profit Housing Cor- poration. "I have trouble saying no to you. Is there any ground to get together with you?" cni1lor Joe Drunnn asked of corporation general imanager M ofeed Michael, also Durhamn Region planning comnussioner. But Michael said there would beno changes to the proposed nine-story, i 12-umitfapplication for the west side of Perry St., north of Mary St. E., sinoe for gagplan with fewer units, «eres no way we can do it financial. "I don t want to beave any illusions that we can do it wà ih six floors,» said Michael. The downtown secondary plan allows a maximum six stories on the block bound by Mary, Brock, John and Perry streots. A policy provision permits fleibility to consider incroased heights if there are increased setbacks or taperig of the building..' B t planning de p artment recommiended denial of the appli- cation sinoe a slab type structure was proposed, with neither set- backs nor taporing of the build- ing's height to the street. "The concept* of encouragig senior housing in hiigh density residential areas is consistent with the policy directives of Whitby's official plan,' stated a report from plannig staff «Howevor, the guidelines for such high density projects set out, in the o-flcial plan must be ýrecog- nized ini considering such zoning applications.» Te application, which Michael said was eight stores in height since one story was lobby, was te include 18 umits for the frail and eiderly Michael argued that the plan would b. an "asset to the town, it will revitalize the downtown area,» and would be a «compre- hensive development for this ares.' Ho also maintained that. there was adequate setback for a downtown area, later noting that "A real downtown has no set- backs.» But ho agreed with coundillor Dennis Fox that the building«s not the nicest architecture.»" Fox had noted that a cor- poainproject in his own neighborhood was welI-managed but was a «second-rate building." For the application just made by_ the corporation, argued Fox, "«We want something that~s fit- ting with heritage and the down- town core.» uWe're trying to do something in the downtown,' ,said Drurnm. Michael said no compromise could be made since the cor- poration* had te get the best building possible for a "reason- SEE PAGE 4 T1eachers, board aim to avoid strike See page 4 Evans helps 6'walking time bomb' win suit See page 3 Hotel on Cutllen's Prettiest Street Why planning comniittee on Mody recominended council approval of a 45-suite hotel as part of the Prettiest Street com- plex at Cullen Gardons. Owen Hachey, representing Cullen Gardens said the hotel te be U-shap, would be the second phase of the Prettiest Street complox and is scheduled for completion by1993. In 1990, work wilbei on the heritage residential structures (about 25) te be located on the Prettiest Street. The structures will have ground floor commer- cial uses, with limited bed and breakfast accommodation per- mitted. That p hase of develop- ment is scheduled te open in 1992, said Hachey. (In Mardi, 1989, Durham Réeon approved official plan amendments .te formally recog- nize commercial uses, nursery gardon centre and teurist com- SEE PAGE 15 Fre at Pearson Lanes TillE Whitby fire department is in- vesigating- a ire which caused an estimated $159000 damage at Ele- f V'*î..v f gance Flowers in Pearson lane (Byron St. N. side) on Sunday night Fr.. 1% photo