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Strong opposition to apartment building on old Gym Bags property By Liz Dadson |
Kincardine council To Comment on this article Click Here |
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The neighbours are not pleased with the proposal for a four-storey, 27-unit apartment building planned for Huron Terrace, Kincardine, on the old Gym Bags property. During the Kincardine planning advisory committee He said local residents are concerned that the apartment complex may be too intense for this location, the front facade of the building and location of the pedestrian entrance do not address the street appropriately, and the development will create an unacceptable increase in traffic. However, Stickney said that the neighborhood has undergone some changes toward more multi-unit dwellings in the area. And the required setbacks should mitigate any negative impacts, he said. As for shadowing from the height of the new structure, that should not be a problem, he said, because there are already trees in that area taller than the building will be. He recommended approval of the rezoning application. Don Scott of Cuesta Planning Consultants, and architect Grant Diemert were at the meeting to address any questions. Cameron Stuart, a neighbour on Broadway, said there is no need for a four-storey building unless the proponent sinks the parking garage into the ground. He also objected to the proposed height because of privacy issues; he said the plan does not provide sufficient green space;, and he questioned the real need for apartment units in Kincardine. Councillor Maureen Couture said many of those issues can be addressed through site plan control. Andy Ritchie, another neighbour on Huron Terrace, said he is concerned about the increase in traffic with 27 new apartments, and the height of the building which would be right beside his house. "There wouldn't be enough parking," he said. "When it was a gym, there was a lot of traffic, but it all went home. With 27 units, there's parking for one car per unit (in the plan), but most families have more than one car. The parking is going to spill out onto Huron Terrace where my friends and neighbours live." Ritchie is also concerned about the lack of green space, garbage storage, and light and noise pollution with the proposed complex. "We are very much opposed to this plan," he said. "It's too many people on one piece of land, with no green space. We don't want this change to our quiet neighbourhood." Doug Duimering, another neighbour on Broadway, had many of the same objections. He is also concerned about sufficient drainage on the property because during a heavy rain, the run-off ends up on his property. Couture again noted that these issues can be dealt with under site plan control. Samantha Smith, a neighbour on Huron Terrace, said she enjoys her evenings in her backyard which is just to the south of the proposed project. "That's not going to be the same if there are 27 families looking in at us," she said. Deputy mayor Anne Eadie echoed Couture's point that many of these concerns can, and will, be addressed under site plan control, including stormwater management.
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"Drainage is a requirement under site plan control," said Scott. "It has to be done to the satisfaction of the municipality." As for garbage storage, he noted that there will be no outside bins. All the garbage will be kept inside the building. There will be landscaping, sidewalks and tree-planting, he said. "The apartment units are two-bedroom, so they're more for seniors or singles, not families," he said. "We plan to blend this apartment complex into the neighbourhood, so we could bury part of the parking to make it closer to the height of the single-family zoning." "I'm in favour of high-density development in Kincardine," said councillor Jacqueline Faubert, "but I'm leery of allowing high density in an R1 (single-family dwelling) neighbourhood." Mayor Larry Kraemer said this type of housing is needed in Kincardine. "And it's not in our purview to choose the type of housing or who may be living there. That's not part of the planning exercise. He asked if the apartment complex could be located more southerly on the lot to address some concerns of the neighbours. "We can look at that," said Scott. "That's what this public meeting is all about. We take the comments under consideration and try to address them." In fact, he said council is under no obligation to approve anything at that meeting. "We've heard the concerns," said Scott. "We could deal with these and make another report to council." Council agreed. Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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