The push for more housing density is getting some push back.
Lakeshore's council voted 7-1 to reject a plan for a ten-unit townhouse development in Belle River.
The project has a plan for two buildings at 1581 County Rd. 22 — one has six units, the other has four. Both would be two storeys.
While the town's planners recommended approval of the project, resident concerns had many on council feeling the plans needed more work.
Mark Gasparini lives in the area and feels the multi-unit nature of the development doesn't fit with the single detached homes in the neighbourhood.
"All the people in the neighbourhood have brought the neighbourhood up to such a pristine level — it has to do with pride," says Gasparini. "Once you get rental people coming in and [developer Tony Azar] said they're going to have to do their own yard work — we want to keep our neighbourhood to a certain standard."
The units will be rented out for $1,200 a month.
Tony Azar is the developer behind the project and president of Azar Holdings.
He feels his team has worked hard to meet the concerns over traffic, garbage and privacy.
"Two-storey townhouse unit or two-storey single family home? A single family home you can have balconies, you can sit up there and have parties up there overlooking the neighbours," says Azar. "Really, [council] didn't appreciate what we've done for them."
A proposed development by Azar Holdings Ltd. in Belle River is opposed by the neighbourhood and rejected by Lakeshore council on June 27, 2017. (Photo courtesy Google)
Gasparini says he isn't against more housing density, but feels their neighbourhood isn't a good fit for the planned townhomes.
"Planning more density I think has to be carefully considered and we need a little more space than a corner lot."
Azar feels council didn't really have a fully appreciation for the plan.
"They talk about fencing — there is a fence, there are shrubs, but [council] didn't really study the site plan that was put in front of them and they were talking unknowledgeably in certain areas."
A proposed development by Azar Holdings Ltd. in Belle River is opposed by the neighbourhood and rejected by Lakeshore council on June 27, 2017. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Council had considered a deferral, but that motion failed.
"Actually I'm happy with the down vote rather than the deferral because I love my chances at the [Ontario Municipal Board]," says Azar.
Lakeshore Mayor Tom Bain was the lone vote against the motion that saw the project shot down, specifically referencing a potential OMB challenge.
Azar plans to appeal the decision.