Builder sees beautiful infill project; neighbours see tree removal, high density, ‘parking Armageddon’

ELORA – It’s not a development thing, it’s a density thing, delegates told council at a Jan. 28 public meeting as they opposed a proposed infill development on South Street in Elora.

James Keating Construction Ltd. purchased the land at 191 Wellington Road 7 and 290 South St. and hopes to build four street-facing townhomes and 21 cluster townhomes on the property, near the corner of Wellington Road 7 and David Street, across from the Jefferson Elora Community Centre.

The proposal requires a zoning amendment, from R1A (low density residential) to R3 (residential exception), which would allow “a wider range of higher density multi-residential uses,” states a report by township planner Deanna Maiden.

The site would have underground stormwater management as opposed to an above-grade pond. The units would each hook up to municipal water and wastewater services.

It would have an internal road with access onto South Street. There would be no direct access to Wellington Road 7.

Each unit would be two-storeys and have its own garage and driveway. There would also be 10 visitor parking spaces and a shared outdoor amenity space. 

Richard Kelly-Ruetz, a planner for GSP Group and hired by Keating, said an existing home on the property would be severed and would remain. Its garage would be demolished.

Delegates were opposed to the proposal as outlined by Kelly-Ruetz.

Maury Moynihan said he’s lived on South Street for 25 years and called it “a mature, quiet street with 31 houses.

“This will double the houses, and that’s outlandish to me,” he said. “In my opinion this is over-intensification.”

Moynihan worried the development would decrease the value of existing homes, “taking money out of the pockets of people who live there.” 

He said there is insufficient parking and that would lead to overflow parking on South Street.

Bob Jackson, who lives around the corner on David Street, shared Moynihan’s concerns, with the additional worry that mature trees would be removed.

“This is a tree-lined gateway to the cemetery,” he said adding tree removal “would impact the ambiance.”

Clear-cutting the site “would create a heat island, which is exactly not what we should be doing,” agreed Randal Howard, another delegate.

He said there is not enough parking “and there will be parking Armageddon on South Street,” he said.

“The neighbourhood is comfortable with development, but the density is contrary to the official plan.”

Scott Stacy, another resident of South Street, worries that when paid parking comes to downtown Elora, visitors will discover South Street, “and that will amplify the parking problem,” he said.

“Keating makes good homes, but that many will ruin the street and parking will be a nightmare,” resident Dave Forrester agreed.

Kelly-Ruetz said he’ll take away neighbours’ concerns and see if Keating can tweak the plan.

Council did not vote on the proposal; it will return to council at a later date.