Apr 21, 2010- 3:36 PM
At the April 20 planning committee meeting, city councillors voted to approve a rezoning application by Jeff Perreault of Media Environmentals to place 12 advertising signs (each 20 x 32 feet in size) on the Pearl Street water tower, which is currently owned by Westar Investments. Perreault said now that the rezoning has been approved, he expects to take possession of the site in a matter of weeks.
Perreault said the signs would generate a revenue stream over three years that would allow for an alternative use of the structure and the land it sits on.
According to a staff report, the applicant plans to eventually convert the structure into commercial office space, banquet facilities, and a restaurant.
In June of 2006 he received city approval to convert the tower into commercial office space, banquet facilities and a restaurant
The roughly 40-year-old towers were used until 1998, when they were decommissioned. The city still owns the Pine Street tank.
“We do not plan on tearing the Pearl Street water tower down,” Perreault said. He added his focus would be on the development of the tower and the surrounding 1.3 acre-site, as well as property he owns nearby for parking.
“I want to turn it into something we can be proud of,” Perreault added.
Some city residents applauded the move by Perreault.
“It is an awesome site for a restaurant,” Artist Irvin Marshall said. “From up there, you can see all over. It is breathtaking.”
Other residents in the neighbourhood raised concerns about increased traffic and the signs. Perrault said he would work with the residents on these concerns.
Some at the meeting, including Coun. Doug Craig, doubted whether the advertising signs would really generate enough revenue to fund the future developments. Craig voted against the application, saying he was not sure if ideas presented by the applicant were viable, and that the project had come to council too many times in the past.
A petition of 66 names was presented in opposition of the project. Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann said she had another petition of more than 100 names in favour of the project.
Joel Kimmel, a local illustrator, has been spearheading a community effort to to preserve both water towers. He said many people are concerned the towers, a landmark on the city skyline, could be in danger of being demolished.
Kimmel became enamoured with water towers when he lived in New York City between 2007 and 2009.
“Some tall buildings in New York City have wooden water tanks on top. I thought they looked attractive.”
When he relocated to Greater Sudbury, he said he was pleased to see the towers on the city’s skyline. Once he heard there was a possibility they could be torn down, he and a small group of activists began a campaign to protect them.
Though the Pine Street water tower, still owned by the city, was not discussed at the meeting, Ward 6 Coun. André Rivest said there is an interest from himself, Coun. Landry-Altmann, and other councillors in preserving the towers.
“The Pine Street water tower is still ours,” Rivest said. “A decision on its fate was deferred by council pending new information forthcoming. I expect it will return to the policy committee of city council in about a month."
Rivest said he was contacting people and organizations in the community who may have some practical ideas on how to make proper use of the structure.
“After all, to tear it down that costs us money, too,” he said. “There could be a new, cheaper technology out there that can clean up the aesthetics of the water tower. We need to look at all possibilities.”
For more information, visit savethesudburywatertowers.wordpress.com
