Dundas Pirie Drive neighbours rallying opposition to zoning application
This large empty lot at the corner of Pirie Drive and Governors Road is the site of a proposed four-storey building facing Governors with 84 seniors apartments, 75 retirement home suites and 17 single-storey townhouses on the north side of the property facing Pirie Drive. The empty lot is surrounded by existing townhouses and single-family homes. - Craig Campbell/Metroland
Dundas Pirie Drive neighbours rallying opposition to zoning application
Any future development must confirm to Niagara Escarpment Plan urban area policies.
Any development on 125 Pirie Dr. must conform to the Niagara Escarpment Plan, and include a mix of large, native deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, feature colours visually compatible with natural scenery and have downward-directed exterior lighting, according to comments submitted by the Niagara Escarpment Commission to the City of Hamilton on a proposed four-storey, 159-unit residential building and 17 townhouses.
Meanwhile, residents near the proposed development site are expressing concerns about the multi-residential proposal.
The property is located within the Niagara Escarpment Planning Area and designated Escarpment Urban Area, but commission spokesperson Danielle D’Silva said it is outside commission development control and therefore doesn’t require a commission permit for development. However, the site is subject to Niagara Escarpment Plan polices for designated Escarpment Urban Areas.
“Any development approved by the municipality would need to comply with these policies,” D’Silva said.
She was not aware of any specific policies or restrictions that prevented the property from development in the early 1990s as part of the Conservation Run subdivision.
Meanwhile, nearby resident Bill Vickers and neighbour Alan Tucker were preparing a campaign against the proposed development. They distributed notices to area residents encouraging those who oppose the application to send comments to city planning staff by the November 5 deadline.
“We believe the extra density will degrade the quality of life we presently enjoy in our semirural location,” Vickers said.
Veronica Robson, another nearby resident, submitted detailed comments to the planning department. While she accepts the proposed single-storey townhouses on the north end of the property, she raised several concerns about the three and four storey multi-residential building — including its impact on townhouses next door at 10 Davidson Blvd.
“One of my biggest concerns is the loss of privacy for my neighbours who will be overlooked by many, many units 15-metres from their kitchen window,” Robson said. “A neighbour said it will look like a cruise ship moored at the end of our cul-de-sac.”
She told planning staff properties on the north side of 10 Davidson already have run-off and drainage problems, and development on the vacant land next door could add to the issues.
Robson also said the proposed retirement residence would be in an isolated location.
“It has no services like shops, library or pharmacy close by,” Robson said.
More details of the application are available at the project website: http://piriedevelopment.com/
