Dear editor:
Re: Residents object to apartment complex, the Community News, Aug. 26.
I take exception to the township planning staff deeming the application is “consistent with the county official plan.”
Section 8.3.2 of the Wellington County Official Plan “to encourage intensification, development proposals provided they maintain the stability and character of existing neighborhoods.”
The policies of section 8.3.11 encourage development for vacant or under-utilized properties for residential uses which are compatible with surrounding uses in terms of dwelling type, building form, site coverage and setbacks. I believe that a two storey, 32-unit apartment building is not compatible with dwelling type or building form in this well-established neighborhood. It is surrounded on all sides by single family homes. The apartment is crowded along the fence line of many homes. The second story windows and balconies look directly into the backyards, decks, and rooms of the homes behind and beside it. There is a complete loss of privacy of our backyards. The building will completely shade the many homes behind it. There will be considerable light pollution from the overhead parking lot lights, vehicle headlights, and second story residences.
This apartment will impact the property values of adjacent homes in a very negative way.
This development will create a large increase in traffic volume, causing safety issues on Princess Street, which is a major corridor to the hospital, medical clinic, nursing home and recreational center. In the winter, to accommodate snow removal, all the vehicles in the parking lot will have to be moved onto Princess Street, again creating safety issues.
This does not meet the requirements of the County Official Plan.
The housing types in this area already include a wide range and supply: single detached, semi-detached, triplex and fourplex buildings, including many rental units. With these homes, this area is already meeting intensification goals. Many of the homes in this community are barrier free, which better support those with accessibility requirements.
This apartment will not visually enhance the neighbourhood. It will tower over the nearest neighbours and destroy their privacy
I have no issue with increased density to provide more rental units. However, the best and highest use of this vacant land would be one story cluster townhomes that would be compatible with the neighbourhood.
Terry Martin,
Mount Forest