A proposed 48-townhome development at the intersection of Patterson Road and Phillips Street was panned by residents at Monday night's city council meeting.
Darren Vella, a representative with Innovative Planning Solutions, made a pitch to council to change the zoning bylaw to pave the way for the development. He requested to change the zoning of the four effected parcels of land (46, 50, 52 and 56 Patterson Rd.) from R2 (residential single detached) to RM2 (residential multiple with special provisions) to allow for the development.
While Vella included some of the concerns raised during a public meeting in his presentation including noise, neighbourhood redevelopment plans, traffic and parking, some members of the public spoke during the question period to hammer home the problems they felt hadn’t been addressed in the presentation.
Andrea Attridge, who owns a home on Patterson Road, outlined multiple reasons the development would be a bad idea for the community.
Some of the concerns raised by Attridge included the area not being a part of the intensification required by the city’s Official Plan, the removal of the mature trees in the area dismantling a sound barrier between the existing homes and Highway 400, the removal of trees also potentially causing issues with erosion control, and the north end of Crawford Street not having sidewalks.
Attridge also referenced other new townhome builds in the area being far out of reach in regards to price for the average person.
“I wouldn’t be able to afford to live in these new townhomes. How will a wide range of incomes be represented?” she asked.
Attridge concluded by referencing the character of the neighbourhood, and how that will be destroyed by this development.
“People moved into this mature existing neighbourhood as it was quiet and established,” she said. “I strongly oppose this zoning bylaw amendment application.”
After the meeting, Joanne Sacco, who also lives on Patterson, agreed with Attridge.
“It’s too much for one little spot,” said Sacco.
Other Patterson Road residents Kenji and Reiko Niwa also submitted a request in writing outlining similar concerns with the development.
Vella responded by indicating that the developer intends to continue working with the public to ease concerns, and noted the developer intends to complete a noise report and block/context plan demonstrating integration of development with surrounding lands.
A staff report is being prepared and will be presented at a later date, at which time council will debate the proposal and make a decision.
