A six-storey condo development, which was stalled by a ‘non-decision’ at last month’s city council planning meeting, will go ahead.
Some councillors were uncomfortable with the change of tone by those opposing it.
Speaking at the planning meeting on Tuesday, delegations against the proposed 86-unit development at the southwest corner of Gordon Street and Lowes Road said the 80metre wide, six-storey high structure will be like a giant billboard in their front yard.
The proposed development by Reid's Heritage Homes was seeking a zoning change for the subject property from ‘Residential Single Detached’ to ‘Specialized General Apartment.’
The subject lands are situated within the Gordon Street Intensification Corridor, an area on Gordon Street between Stone Road and Clair Road where development is encouraged to help support the city’s growth targets.
The main opponents of the application live across Gordon Street in a condominium development known as The Cottages.
Speaking against the development, resident Peter Schwerdt said the main issue is height.
“This is a two story neighbourhood of single family dwellings. It’s in the middle of a 1.6-kilometre stretch where a six-storey apartment would be an eyesore,” said Schwerdt.
Adam Campbell said he moved into The Cottages 23 years ago, lured by the promise of an ‘executive retirement’ residence.
At the time he moved in, the subject property for the proposed development was a single-family home and zoned as such.
“You’re changing the plan, that’s not what we signed up for,” said Campbell.
Schwerdt suggested the people who would move into the new development would not be ‘compatible’ with the current residents in the area, many of whom are retired seniors.
“We are really worried about an apartment building leading to rental, leading to social differences — socio-economic differences for the area,” said Schwerdt. “Crime and vandalism is likely to increase with a different demographic — with renters being imminent.”
He noted a recent party in the neighbourhood hosted by the grandchild of a current resident, which resulted in excessive noise and broken bottles on the ground.
“We don’t want that going on in the proximity of our neighbourhood,” said Schwerdt. “As mature citizens, we deserve better. We deserve respect.”
Ward 2 councillor James Gordon said he was uncomfortable with the change in tone from some of the delegations speaking in opposition to the development.
“I was quite shocked to see the different tone that the delegates brought forward this evening, when you had me sold on the issues about the massing, the shading and the traffic,” said Gordon. “Tonight it seemed to take a turn that I was very uncomfortable with — which was that somehow who you perceive the potential renters to be on this development would be less responsible and less good citizens than those who want to protect their executive lifestyle.”
Gordon continued: “I have spent most of my life living under the poverty line, a lot of my life as a renter and I never considered that I was an inferior citizen. And the suggestion that if they are not of your same income bracket or lifestyle, that they would somehow not fit because of that, really changed that tone.”
When it was time for the report about the proposed development was to be considered, councillor June Hofland made a point of order asking if it should go ahead because it was defeated by a 6-6 vote at the October planning meeting.
Deputy city clerk Dylan McMahon said the tie vote was considered a non-decision, not a defeated vote, setting up the deja vu scenario on Tuesday.
In his delegation, resident Ron Wilson wondered out loud why six members of council voted in favour of the developer during the last planning meeting.
“Is there something going on that the citizens are not a party to? — you know what I mean, ‘wink, wink, nudge, nudge,” said Wilson, channelling a Monty Python bit.
In her question to Wilson, councillor Leanne Piper offered The Cottages resident an opportunity to apologize for suggesting impropriety on the part of council.
Wilson did not apologize, but cited a note from the city’s legal counsel that was mentioned during the point of order, but not shared publicly.
Mayor Cam Guthrie interceded to say Piper’s point was made.
The Reid's Heritage Homes development will not be built net zero, meaning it will not produce as much renewable energy as it consumes. The owners do not plan to offer a low-income housing component to the development.
Gordon wondered aloud why the developers would not address those two issues, considering they are two things identified as priorities by council. He said that was the reason he would not support the application.
In the end, council voted in favour of the development 8-5, with Phil Allt, Bob Bell, James Gordon, Dominique O’Rourke and Leanne Piper casting votes against the project. Christine Billings, Cathy Downer, Dan Gibson, Rodrigo Goller, June Hofland, Mark MacKinnon, Mike Salisbury and Mayor Cam Guthrie voted in favour of the development.
