Former Presbyterian church to be transformed into “The Duffy”

December 18, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Peter Richardson

Shelburne’s former Presbyterian church is set to get a new lease on life as a tavern and retail space.

An application for approval of a site-specific zoning bylaw amendment to allow a tavern and to extend the C1 Zone parking provisions, to a change of use of the former church opposite Town Hall, at 214 Main Street was considered by Council this week.

Nancy and Chris Peterson of Orangeville are planning to renovate the interior of the old Presbyterian Church in order to house a tavern on the main floor and a retail space on the second floor. They have no plans to change the exterior of the historic building which, although not officially designated by the province, is on the Town of Shelburne’s list of properties with historic significance.

In addition, the Dufferin Public House, or “The Duffy”, will have an outdoor patio on the east side of the building.

The primary reason for the application was to exempt the new enterprise from the current parking requirements of a building this size. A new building this size would be required to provide 59 parking spaces and the existing church has nine, one of which will be made in to a barrier free parking space.

Wever pointed out to Council that there was substantial precedent to allow the exemption and that there was ample municipal and street parking, in the immediate vicinity of the property.

Only one objection to the plan had been expressed prior to the council meeting and Mr. Petersons informed Council that he had spoken with the complainant and they had agreed to revoke their objection, based on his assurances concerning their issue.

In general, the fact that the building predated current zoning requirements, the proposed use was in line with both the Town and the County Official Plans and also with the Provincial Policy Statement and Growth Plan for the Golden Horseshoe, all favoured a decision, by Council, to approve the application, which they did, unanimously.