Concerned residents
A public meeting in Cornwall gets feedback from residents regarding proposed bylaw changes to the town
Teresa and Alan Craswell and their daughter, Kelly Goddard, say they’re worried they’re going to lose green space and see an increase in traffic and noise in their neighbourhood if a proposed bylaw change goes through in the Town of Cornwall.
The family was among 50 residents who came out to a recent public meeting to hear about proposed bylaw changes and rezoning of specific properties, as well as updates to the Cornwall Zoning and Subdivision Control Development Bylaw.
It seemed the biggest issue causing concern to residents involves a section of land between the Trans-Canada Highway and Lakeview Drive.
“I think everyone is going to look like they are packed in like sardines. People need their space.” Kelly Goddard
The town received an application to rezone 10 parcels of land from single family residential (R1) to planned unit residential (PURD). The proposal is for 30 block townhouse units. The townhouses would be singlestorey, senior-friendly units.
Goddard, who grew up in the home on Lakeview Drive where her parents have lived for 35 years said the townhouses are a terrible idea.
“I think everyone is going to look like they are packed in like sardines,” said Goddard. “People need their space.”
At times the meeting was emotional.
“I and many others here tonight would like the subdivision to be maintained as is until such a time when someone is able to complete the development as originally planned,” said one resident.
“I think what the people here are trying to say is that nobody thinks that subdivision is going to work in our area,” said another resident.
Also up for discussion were three lots that are between the Trans-Canada Highway and Muttart Drive. The lots are currently zoned as two-family residential (R2) with a proposition to be zoned as multiple-family residential (R3).
One of the proposed text amendments in the Cornwall Zoning and Subdivision Control Development Bylaw was on height restrictions. The town is purposing changes from a maximum height of 35 feet to 40 feet in all areas of the town.
Other amendments included changes to the allotted lot frontages and changes to the percentage of semi-detached and duplex units in a R2 zoned block. The town wants to increase it from 20 per cent to 35 per cent.
The information gathered at the meeting will be discussed at the next planning board meeting in August before it goes before Cornwall town council.