Nordik gets preliminary green light for hotel

The big news at the Chelsea Council meeting on October 2 was the granting of a minor variance to permit Spa Nordik to build a 60-unit hotel on the property, at a height greater than the by-law would ordinarily permit. While the by-law permits a building of 12 metres, the hotel will have 16. The five-storey building will have two storeys below ground.

Nordik has a Plan B, which would not need a derogation, but would have entailed “the need to cut down 200 trees,” as Mayor Caryl Green noted. The trees seem to have won. As to trees to be eliminated in the single building of five storeys, Nordik will replace them. Chelsea is also to have a lien for conservation.

Groupe Nordik President Martin Paquette promises two public information meetings for residents to learn about the plans and the two options. The new Chelsea Council will need to deal with the demand for a building permit. Paquette hopes to begin work next spring, with completion in 2019.

This hotel will be a major boost to the local economy, expecting to create spin-off commercial growth. It will also entail a need for more modest-cost housing, a new challenge for the next Council.