PRESSURE POINTS
Proposed housing development has some Stratford area residents voicing concerns
Proposed housing development has some Stratford area residents voicing concerns
STRATFORD – Danny Wood had a list of concerns he wanted to voice at Wednesday night’s public meeting at Stratford Town Hall on the rezoning application from Reddin Meadows.
“I moved (to Stratford). My wife and I are enjoying our life here. I bought a piece of property here, and all I want is the quiet, peaceful and private enjoyment of that property,” said Wood, a resident of Millennium Drive.
He and dozens of other residents came to the public meeting to state their comments and concerns with the development between Stratford Road and Keppoch Road.
“I understand we are moving forward, but I moved here for a reason. I didn’t want to live in Milton, Mississauga, Burlington… I don’t want 45-foot lots, I don’t want the houses crammed together, six feet between… and you're proposing side set backs three to four feet.”
Wood also said the 20-foot green space included in the proposed development was unacceptable.
The proposed development would see the rezoning of about 14.01 acres from a low density residential zone (R1) to
a planned unit residential development zone (PURD).
It would potentially see medium density development – about seven housing units per acre – with a range of different housing like single family homes, duplexes, townhomes and apartments with a range of affordability options.
Rob Leblanc is president of Fathom Studio, an architecture firm based in Dartmouth, N.S. They were hired by general contractor Landfest Company Ltd., which has proposed the development.
He said Stratford is one of the largest-growing communities in Canada with a growth rate of 13.2 per cent. This, he said, has led to pressure for affordable housing options and more variety of housing.
“It may come as a surprise to some that P.E.I. is one of the fastest growing provinces in
Canada,” he said.
He added that Stratford and Cornwall are growing in population like communities such as Milton, Ont.
“Most communities who are especially quick growing are trying to avoid sprawls.”
A sprawl is a development of single-family homes, built to look similarly, that continue across wide swaths of landscape.
For 100 units of housing in R1 zones, 35-40 acres would be needed to accommodate their development.
LeBlanc said this type of development eats into natural areas like forests and viable farm land and forces residents to invest in more cars.
After LeBlanc's presentation, many of the questions, comments and concerns from the community centred around traffic, property values, sustainability, accessibility and snow removal.
Janet Compton, a resident of Millennium Drive since 2007, said she was concerned about the development pushing out local wildlife and blocking residents from being able to walk around their neighbourhood. She said development in Stratford has become overwhelming.
“I understand what you are saying, but what I am saying is that when I came to Stratford, I liked the open space and I liked the green space and I liked the foxes that were there,” Compton said.
“So, anything that you were going to put there is going to hurt, personally. It is just too much in too small a space.”
John Horrelt, owner of Landfest Company Ltd., who was involved in P.E.I.’s housing strategy, said Islanders have to start thinking differently in terms of the types of housing being provided.
“We cannot continue to build the big family houses we have. We have to think about the houses we have to try to do to be progressive,” he said.
“We have to do it in a way that balances things for everybody…. Folks, this is change, and we need to start working together. We (need) housing product. Shelter is fundamental right and we have to provide shelter.”