Council approved planned renovations for the museum and archives, and it also agreed to provide a letter to help with grant applications by the Cumberland and District Historical Society.
At a meeting in October, they approved motions for changes to the interior of the building. The society’s letter to the Village highlights the work, saying work will include an upgrade to the mechanical and electrical systems, as well as changes to the layout to enhance the experience for visitors and enable building a larger collections area. The accessible washroom will also be improved.
“It doesn’t change the footprint at all. It’s all interior work,” said Mayor Leslie Baird.
The society also asked for a letter of support it can use for grant applications to get additional support for the project.
RELATED STORY: Cumberland plans for museum makeover
As well, the Village plans to dispose of a portion of the property at 2680 Dunsmuir Ave., through a 15-year lease with the Cumberland and District Historical Society. The rent would be $1 a year.
The Cumberland Museum and Archives has occupied the building since 1981, yet there has not been any kind of formal lease agreement during that time. The draft lease can be viewed at the museum building.
Council members were supportive of the lease proposal.
“They’re like the heart and soul of Cumberland,” said Coun. Gwyn Sproule.
Affordable housing public hearing
There will be a public hearing for an affordable housing project on Nov. 18 at the Cumberland Recreation Centre Gym. It starts at 7 p.m. It covers proposed amendments to the zoning and the official community plan bylaws for three adjacent properties at 3339, 3341 and 3345 Second St. This would permit the development of the multi-family residential development on the properties.
People can look at the bylaws in advance on the Village website at “cumberland.ca/current-development” or at the recreation centre.
There will be safety protocols in place for the hearing. People can also make written submissions at the hearing or in advance by emailing planning@cumberland.ca or drop them off at the Village Office before 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 18.
RELATED STORY: Hearing set for Cumberland affordable housing project
Temporary use permit
A business applicant had come to the Village for a business licence in the summer for a yoga, fitness and dance studio, but did not have the right zoning for the property at 4640 Cumberland Rd.
“We looked at a mechanism for her to get into compliance,” senior planner Karin Albert told council at a meeting on Oct. 12.
The temporary use permit is an alternative to rezoning, and it would be valid for three years. After this period, it can be renewed for another three-year period after time the property would need to be rezoned.
“It’s a good test for a three-year period,” Albert said.
There is an issue around some longstanding development permit requirements on site dealing with delays for landscaping – specifically, trees along a fence that had not yet been planted. Albert told council the Village can deal with the development permit requirements for the building owner independently from the temporary use permit for the business operator.
Council had concerns about holding up the process further because of delays for the yoga business. Their frustration was directed more at the building owner than the business tenant.
“I would like to see the plantings done. Seven years is too long,” Coun. Sean Sullivan said.
Council passed a motion for the temporary use permit for the business.
Road work through November
The Village has a number of road and underground utility projects happening expected to be finished by the end of November:
- Road, water, storm sewer, sanitary sewer at Derwent Avenue from Fifth to Sixth Street, Sixth Street from Derwent to Allen Avenue, lane south of Dunsmuir at Sixth Street;
- Road work at Maryport Avenue, from Third Street to Fourth Street;
- Windermere Avenue from Second Street to Cumberland School; First Street from Maryport to Ulverston; Second Street from Maryport to Windermere – components of water, storm sewer, road and sidewalk along Windermere to Cumberland School Beaufort Building;
- Storm sewer work at the lane north of Dunsmuir from the Museum across First Street.
The Village is completing the capital projects with a total budget, including contingency and engineering fees, of $1,245,077.
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