Representatives of Coletara Development-
the submitters of the current application to construct 133 residential units at
144 Watson Road North- contacted me last week to express interest in meeting
with me to discuss the details of their project. Evidently they were aware of
the petition I am leading against re-zoning the property from commercial to
high density residential.
I did not learn anything new about the
project itself, given that the notice of the proposed zoning by-law amendment
is a public document. However, I did learn a few other interesting items:
1. Coletara was very surprised at
the level of opposition to their proposal, given that apparently no residents
showed up at the Council meeting during which the project was presented. According
to Coletara, the City did notify residents about the meeting. Unfortunately,
the requirement is limited to notification of residents located within 120 meters
of the subject lands. Anyone familiar with the lay of the land near the
Starwood library knows that there is more vacant land than anything else within
120 meters of 144 Watson Road North. This might help explain why the vast
majority of residents I meet are unaware of the application, and why more than
300 residents have signed the petition so far.
Clearly, the minimum standard for notification is inadequate and fails to
involve the public in a meaningful way.
2. Although the subject lands are
a) zoned “Community Shopping Centre Zone” and “Floodplain Zone”, and b)
identified as part of the “mixed-use node” block in the City’s Official Plan,
Coletara indicated that the City has envisioned high density residential
development for 144 Watson Road, hence their application. To support this
statement, Coletara showed me a conceptual drawing depicting an apartment
building at 144 Watson Road, along with stores and parking on the adjacent
property owned by Loblaws. I have not been able to find this drawing within any
of the documents available on the City’s “144 Watson Road North” webpage.
3. When I suggested that the
development proposal include a commercial ground floor, Coletara indicated that
the City would not allow the necessary associated parking, be it street parking
or a parking garage. I remain unconvinced that all parking options have been
exhausted.
4. Coletara insisted that through
their on-going talks with Loblaws, they are convinced that Loblaws intends to
develop their property (115 Watson Parkway North) in the very near future.
However, Schedule 5b of the City’s “2014 Development Priorities Plan” does not
illustrate the Loblaws parcel as slated to have their plan registered either in
2014, 2015 or even post-2015.
Bottom line, I continue to believe that we must
stop catering to Loblaws’ stated need for more residential development before
it becomes profitable for them to open a grocery store in the East End. Let’s
encourage other businesses to come in. And it all starts with having commercial
zones beyond Loblaws’ property.
This post was also submitted to the Guelph Citizen.
