The proposed Jennark Homes subdivision here is taking another step forward with council’s approval of the amended application for rezoning.
The property being developed is a vacant interior lot, essentially bounded by properties backing onto St. David, Forfar, Garafraxa and James Streets.
Neighbourhood comments regarding the detailed design would be considered during the site plan and draft plan of approval for the proposed condominium.
Council’s endorsement on April 14 was not unanimous, with a show of hands indicating councillors Kirk McElwain, Fred Morris and Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj were in favour and councillors Mary Lloyd and Walt Visser opposed.
From the outset, the mayor reminded councillors the afternoon’s discussion was specifically about the rezoning.
However, council’s comments seemed to stray more into the realm of the concept of the plan – not the rezoning.
Councillor Visser agreed that his objections were not zoning related. But he still felt “this type of development needs to be discouraged.”
He noted that at a recent public meeting the chair of Heritage Centre Wellington spoke strongly against the issue.
Visser considered the township lawyers in error in considering the development as simply single family residences. While the homes might start as single family homes, the development offers the option of creating an accessory apartment within the structure at the time of construction.
Visser felt having those within a condominium development does not constitute a single family residence.
“You can’t have both,” Visser said. He also stated the rights of apartment dwellers are different as well.
“I think that in the long run, this is going to come back to haunt us. I very strongly oppose this,” Visser said.
Director of planning Brett Salmon appreciated the concerns.
“The bottom line is that the province has passed legislation which says that as municipalities we are required to pass bylaws allowing apartments to houses,” said Salmon.
He added municipalities could only turn down such apartments if they were located on private property without municipal services.
Salmon said there is nothing particular about a condominium development which would preclude the development of accessory apartments.
Morris said some of the discussion seemed odd, considering discussion earlier in the meeting. That discussion endorsed the creation of more and affordable housing in the community.
“To me, this is part of the solution,” Morris said, noting the developer is willing to build units which could potentially accommodate accessory apartments.
Morris agreed the decision is tough, knowing the number of heritage homes in the area.
He cautioned Salmon to work carefully with the developer to ensure the development is compatible with the neighbourhood.
“I just hope that we get this right,” Morris said.
Lloyd contended there are a number of heritage homes backing onto the development.
She considered the development as intensification in an area of century-old homes and did not see the new homes as being compatible.
“Our community is known for its heritage homes and neighborhoods,” she said.
While Lloyd agreed the developer is working to make the building exteriors fit in with heritage elements, she felt the number of homes and subsequent traffic may cause the loss of the heritage “feel” of the area.
“We’re going to see some pretty heavy traffic,” she said.
The proposal includes 21 residences, some of which may include accessory apartments.
“If we allow this in one neighbourhood, I am concerned we will allow this in other heritage neighbourhoods. The character of the community will continue to erode,” said Lloyd.
Salmon agreed this development is on the fringe of two areas.
While Garafraxa Street has a number of heritage homes, Forfar Street to the north includes a mix of newer developments.
He added the potential for increased traffic does not meet the threshold to undertake a traffic study.
Morris, too, was curious how the development would significantly increase the traffic on Forfar or Garafraxa Streets – two already-busy roads.
Ross-Zuj again stressed the meeting was about the zoning amendment.
Council then passed the zoning amendment.
