Neighbours of a potential development on Dundas Street East say they want some changes to the project if it goes ahead.
The lots at 173 and 177 Dundas St. E. are at the centre of a local controversy, as residents living around the current single family homes have pushed back against a plan to level the lot to build 18 townhomes. If approved at the city's planning committee meeting on Sept. 17, further planning and construction for the development will take around a year and a half to complete.
Stephanie Card went toe-to-toe with developers Hawk Ridge Homes and MHBC Planning at a Sept. 5 public meeting, presenting why developers should re-think moving in next door.
“We are requesting a new traffic study,” Card said. “We’re requesting a reduced number of units. We are requesting that you do not change the elevation of the property, because that is what is leading to concerns about the retaining wall, privacy and shadow issues.”
Card also requested that the proposed units lose their rooftop terraces, that the three-storey units be reduced to two storeys and that the units be set farther back from the road.
She told Hawk Ridge Homes that if they're interested in listening to the group's concerns, she will put her energy into helping them find solutions instead of fighting the development.
Neighbour rallies community to stop development
Card has led the charge against the development since it was announced in 2018, arguing that the height of the townhouse complex with the land filled in will tower over the neighbouring homes and cause issues with traffic on Dundas Street East.
According to the city, 47 people attneded the meeting, to question the project and show support for Card and her fellow neighbours.
The public meeting was requested by Hamilton city council after the proposed development went to the city’s planning committee on Aug. 13, when councillors shared disappointment that Hawk Ridge Homes did not meet with the community after announcing the planning committee date.
Hawk Ridge Homes held a public meeting in 2018, when the lots were purchased, but residents said too much has changed in Waterdown over the past six years.
On Thursday, Ward 15 Coun. Ted McMeekin said the committee likely would have passed the project as-is, but allowed the community to meet again to discuss their concerns with developers.
During an almost hour-long question and answer session with the developer, private and city planners and engineers, Card and her fellow neighbours asked a slew of questions — about the retaining wall and fence that will tower over nearby yards, the loss of old trees near the back of the lot, the driveway that will be close to the Dundas Street East and Riley Street intersection, privacy concerns and more.
“This is the only project in Waterdown that I’ve felt compelled to publicly oppose,” said McMeekin, adding that he has serious concerns about the distance between the complex’s driveway and the nearby intersection.
McMeekin said he has suggested a red-light camera at the Dundas Street East and Riley Street intersection, where residents said cars often speed, run the red light, and put kids who cross the road to get to Guy B. Brown Elementary School in danger.
Some issues can't be addressed until detailed design stage
Gerry Tschisler, who represented the developer at city council, fielded questions about garbage collection, water drainage onto adjacent properties, and a handful of other issues.
Tschisler said for some of the concerns raised, like the construction plans for the retaining wall, it is too early in the planning process to provide answers.
Tricia Collingwood, manager of west development for the City of Hamilton, said, “The permissions are being set, but that isn’t an okay to be built as proposed.”
This means the city will approve preliminary plans for the complex, but there is room to change plans and rethink things once the project gets to its detailed design phase.
Card said she and her neighbours would like to be part of that planning process.
“On behalf of the residents living adjacent to the site, we are requesting a private meeting with the developer to discuss any potential changes to the development, and we also want to be included in any of the future and site specific plans,” she said.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article has been updated to correct the number of people at the Sept. 5 meeting. According to city records, 47 people attended. FlamboroughToday apologizes for any inconvenience caused by the error.
