Increased traffic, the project’s impact on property values and erecting fencing are among the concerns when it comes the planned expansion and addition of residential units at Community Connections Inc.’s property at 340 Court St.
The social services agency has applied to have zoning changed from institutional to high-density residential in order to undergo the $800,000 project.
There are also plans to relocate parking from Court Street to Cedar Street, with future plans to build more housing where the current parking lot is situated.
A public meeting was held on Oct. 29, where residents Bryanne Steele and Roma Steele, spoke. Bryanne and her husband, Scott, live at 341 Strong St.
Their concerns involved the proposed parking on Cedar Street and the potential of increased traffic, and the impact of the zoning change on property values.
The technical services department, in a report presented to the city’s planning board Tuesday night, said the proposed parking lot would have “minimal” impact on current traffic flow on Cedar Street, noting that the proposed project meets development standards.
The Steeles also asked that a stipulation of the rezoning approval be that a fence would be constructed along their rear lot line.
Coun. Gordie Whitlock Tuesday night asked if Frank Costa, executive director at Community Connections, could be asked to commit to erecting that fence, adding his answer would “weigh heavily on my mind when it comes to a vote next month.”
Technical services director Aaron MacDonald said it’s not a requirement.
“In our situation there are very few cases where you would be required to have a fence,” said MacDonald, adding neighbours are encouraged by the city to come to an agreement on such an issue.
Whitlock also questioned if residential units are a good fit in the neighbourhood.
“If you look at the Wing in their backyard, the Legion in their front yard, Generation XX right beside them, the courthouse and jail beside them, there seems to be a lot of institutionalized properties in the vicinity and, all of a sudden, we are going to have some residents in that area,” he said. “I don’t know if that makes much sense to me.”
Council will vote in December on whether to approve the rezoning application.
