Welland residents opposed to Heron Street development
Builder promised low-density plan: neighbours
Twenty-five two-storey townhouses and a seven-storey residential apartment building with commercial space aren’t welcome in a southwest Welland neighbourhood.
Residents near the proposal at Heron Street and South Pelham Road voiced opposition to the project that was before city council for information purposes only.
Upper Canada Consultants planning manager Wiliam Heikoopof, making a presentation on behalf of 1454417 Ontario Ltd., said the developer is seeking official plan and zoning bylaw changes to allow for the townhouses and apartment building.
Heikoop said the apartment building would include commercial use on the ground floor, with 78 apartments — one- and two-bedroom units — on floors two through seven, and 96 parking spaces, 26 of those underground.
The townhouses would be on a private road with 42 parking spaces.
Construction of both would be on a 0.94-hectare piece of property, part of the Sparrow Meadows subdivision first approved in 2014 and registered in 2016.
After Heikoop’s presentation and questions from city councillors, residents voiced opposition.
Concerns included loss of privacy, parking issues, no bus service, increased traffic, the scale of the apartment building and the developer going back on a promise of low density on the corner lot with a commercial plaza.
One resident said no one in the area wants the development and questioned how it would benefit the community.
Residents said the developer promised the lot would be low density when homes in Sparrow Meadows were built, and people started moving in.
Vicki Barker and Andrew Handscombe said when they moved into the area, they were assured the property would see commercial use.
“There are no amenities around here,” said Barker.
She said the planned apartment building is too tall, and would lead to a lack of privacy. She pointed to an apartment building across the road being only four storeys high.
During his presentation and in response to questions from council, Heikoop said Paradigm Transportation Solutions conducted a traffic study as required by the city. He said city and Niagara Region staff have a copy of the report, and no negative comments were received.
Heikoop said the area scored the highest grade and that people waiting for traffic are now waiting less than five seconds to pull out.
“We feel it indicates no concerns with the proposed development,” said Heikoop.