Developers recognized for great design

SimcoeReformer.ca
Monte Sonnenberg
Nov. 13, 2017

Developers often spend the bare minimum necessary to satisfy Ontario building code requirements.

Non-descript buildings situated on land with no thought to aesthetics and landscaping is often the result.

When the time comes to demolish such buildings, no one bats an eye and no one misses them.

It is thus a cause for celebration when developers step forward with plans that are conscious of their surroundings and sympathetic to a community’s desire for attractive design.

To encourage developers in this direction, Norfolk’s planning department held its second annual Site Plan Design Recognition Night event last week at the Norfolk Arts Centre.

Five developments in all were recognized for their efforts to add to the sum total of great design in Norfolk.

Recipients include the new Dairy Queen on Main Street in Port Dover, Sunfield Homes on Evergreen Hill Road in Simcoe, the Charlotteville Brewing Company, Prominent Homes in Simcoe, and the re-designed Delhi branch of the Norfolk Public Library.

The new Dairy Queen made the cut with its decision to incorporate Port Dover’s maritime heritage in the restaurant’s exterior appearance. Owner Gerry James, of Oakland, also scored points with his decision to situate a large percentage of the on-site parking behind the building.

“It’s going to be architecturally pleasing,” planner Alisha Cull said. “There will be a patio in front and a significant amount of landscaping.

It will feature a nautical theme something we look for with new developments in Port Dover.

The Charlotteville Brewery came in for accolades with its decision to dismantle two vintage barns from outside Norfolk and re-purpose them for the brewery. This approach allowed the sponsors to maintain a rustic rural vibe while retrofitting the interior to current commercial standards.

“This is going to be Canada’s first estate brewery,” planner Mat Vaughan said in presenting the award to co-owner and chef Melanie Doerksen.

“They are going to incorporate not only a brewery but a restaurant for fine dining.”

Mayor Charlie Luke thanked the recipients for investing in Norfolk with style. With building permits worth $140 million, Luke noted that 2017 is by far the most active year for new construction in Norfolk since the new county came into being in 2001.

“We are a busy county and we intend to stay that way,” Luke said. “I just wanted to say `Thank you’ to the developers who are being recognized here tonight. We’re very proud of what’s going on in the county right now.”

The Bunting family of Prominent Homes was recognized for their attention to detail regarding a 26-unit condominium project in the Yin subdivision in Waterford.

The Norfolk Library Board and associated county officials were recognized for the bright, airy redesign of the branch on Main Street in Delhi.

Sunfield Homes was recognized for its attractive residential development on Evergreen Hill Road in Simcoe.

“Thank you for your investment,” Chris Baird, Norfolk’s general manager of development and cultural services, said. “You’re definitely leaving your mark in Norfolk County.”