The proposed future location of the Royal Bank is still up in the air.
After Town Council approved the bank’s move to the Oastler Park Shopping Plaza – a private citizen has filed an appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board, claiming that this action works against the town of Parry Sound’s official plan.
The official plan states that banks need to be located in the Central Business District.
In order to ensure the viability and vitality of the Central Business District, certain “core” commercial uses shall be limited to the Central Business District and not permitted elsewhere. These include: Full Service Banks; Beer and Liquor Stores; and uses whose principal function is the serving and consumption of alcohol.
This is complicated by the fact that RBC is currently located at the Parry Sound Mall, which at the time of its construction wasn’t a part of Parry Sound.
Oastler Park has filed an appeal against the citizen’s appeal, calling his claims vexatious.
They are adamant that the bank’s move is the best move for them as well as the Parry Sound community.
They add that there isn’t a suitable location for their bank in the designated downtown “Central Business” area, and the move to Oastler Park would be the most cost-effective place to put their bank.
A study by the Urban Metrics Market Study and John Jackson planning report states that moving the bank would have no impact on the downtown area.
However, there is still a chance that none of this will happen, as the province needs to green-light the move. If things move forward, the appeal against the private citizen’s appeal will take place on April 12.