More input needed on condo project

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(Image courtesy Google Maps)

By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A nine-storey, 87-unit condominium project proposed for the south end of Chatham is getting a deeper look.

The issue came before Chatham-Kent council at the Jan. 27 meeting. It drew deputations from nearby residents of the proposed build at 50 Indian Creek W. near the Links of Kent golf course. The residents expressed concerns about the building’s height, possible effects on privacy and how increased traffic will affect the area.

As part of the presentation, the project was outlined by municipal planner Anthony Jas, and Bryan Pearce, a planner representing the numbered Ontario company looking to develop the property.

According to the staff report, the site of the development encompasses 2.25-acres. Living spaces will occupy eight storeys of the complex, with the ninth devoted to amenities. A total of 125 parking spaces will be added, with 40 of them underground.

Nearby resident Dan Myers took to the podium to express his strong opposition to the project, asking council to turn down the project. The Lacroix Street resident told council that to consider “such a sizable structure at this location is inappropriate,” as it doesn’t fit in with the quiet south Chatham landscape.

The area is currently zoned single unit, low density and needs to be changed to high density to accommodate the build.

In his comments, Myers pointed out that many in the neighbourhood have backyard pools and due to the height, condo residents will have “complete visibility” into the surrounding properties.

He said the complex will increase traffic on an already busy street in an area that’s home to John McGregor Secondary School, Indian Creek Public School and St. Teresa of Calcutta elementary school.

He called the fact that council is considering the build “egregious and absurd.”

Holly Snow, another nearby resident, also expressed opposition to the project.

“We as community members had to go out and notify individual households,” Snow told council, reading from another neighbour’s letter urging council to listen to concerns before making a decision and to “not approve” the proposal.

Snow said outside developers should not come in and profit “off the backs” of local residents.

A public meeting on the development was held at Links of Kent last November, attended by 35 residents. A total of 12 citizens were notified of the meeting in keeping with the official plan rules that only citizens who required notification were those living 120 metres from the complex.

Jas said staff are recommending the project move forward as there are “no issues” with the plan, noting it’s consistent with provincial guidelines.

However, several councillors expressed concern about the traffic report relating to the build, and there was some back and forth between Pearce and council.

Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy questioned when the traffic study was carried out, noting it was conducted in June of 2023.

“The question is, was school in, or was school out?” Bondy asked. “It’s going to have a huge impact on a traffic study.”

Pearce responded saying that date was only one component of the study.

Chatham Coun. Amy Finn also wanted to know if it would be difficult to do another traffic study as circumstances have changed.

Chatham Coun. Alysson Story also supported holding another public meeting, updating the traffic study to reflect the addition of the Catholic school, as well as notifying more people in the neighbourhood.

In his comments, South Kent Coun. Ryan Doyle said he agreed with all the deputations, stating “nine storeys is just way too high.”

He said a new traffic study is warranted and “makes perfect sense,” and agreed with Storey that more people needed to be notified.

North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville said she couldn’t support the development as it stands.

In the end, council referred the matter back to administration to include additional input from the public and to report back to council at a future meeting for a final decision. The motion also requests that the developer hold an additional public meeting, provide an updated traffic study and that all properties within 200 metres of the project be notified.

All of the information on the project to date, including a shadow study, is available for viewing on the municipal website.

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