R. Brown, Manager of Planning and Development Services.
i) Report of R. Brown, dated October 12, 2017 RE: Housekeeping Amendment to Comprehensive Zoning By-law--Amendment of existing zoning on property located at 32 Prince Albert St. S., 109, 124, 129 and 194 Division St. N., 115 Main St. East, and 122 to 148 Lansdowne Avenue (ZBA/21/17)
ii) Proposed By-laws 102-207 to 107-2017
Comments from Council:
Mr. Brown commented that the housekeeping amendment is required in order to correct a zoning error as a result of the consolidation of the former Gosfield South, Gosfield North and Town of Kingsville zoning by-laws. All of the subject properties, with the exception of 194 Division St. N. will be rezoned through individual amendments from their current Residential Zone 3 Urban '(R3.1)' to a site specific Residential Zone 4 Exception 3 '(R4.1-3)' which will restore the uses permitted under the former R3 of the former Kingsville Zoning By-law. The property at 194 Division Division St. North will also be placed into a site-specific Residential Zone 4 Urban Exception 4 ('R4.1-4)' to address the same use issue but will also address a lot frontage issue raised as part of the consent application presented to the Committee of Adjustment on October 17, 2017.
Comments from the audience:
William Cornies and Susan MacKay, 204 Westlawn Ave. advised they purchased their home from Pat Lord in January of 2017 and that the property at the end of the cul de sac had been vacant for many years. They expressed concerns regarding the rezoning of 194 Division St. N.; that another apartment building would negatively affect the resale value of homes and the safety of residents. He explained that there is an environmentally significant area to the south of the parcel, making the footprint even smaller. He stated that the end of a cul-de-sac is not appropriate for an apartment and that the area is well over the 20% threshold for affordable housing.
Sheri Lowrie, 47 Cameron Dr. asked: Why is the Town rezoning 194 Division St. N.; why zone this green land for development? What is the Windsor-Essex Community Housing Authority doing to address the current problems in its current buildings?
Juan Lund, 29 Ivy Lane asked what might happen if the zoning for 194 Division St. N. is changed to 'R4.1-3' as proposed. Could the property owner potentially demolish the existing apartment building and rebuild a bigger one?
Mr. Brown explained that that would be a possibility; that there is an application process that would have to be followed, which would ultimately be controlled by site plan.
Eli Bennett, 13 Palmer, stated that his family has lived in their home for two years; they were looking for a quiet, safe area to raise their family. He stated that how this matter gets resolved determines whether his family continues to reside here. He described recent vehicle break-ins. He suggested that the scope of Windsor-Essex Community Housing's responsibilities should not be expanded until they are accountable and take care of the responsibilities they currently have. He also expressed concerns regarding potential diminished property values and additional traffic on Prince Albert.
Vassilios Mersinidis, 30 Palmer Dr. stated he moved in to his home only 2 days ago. He chose Kingsville as a quiet place to retire, and that this proposal does not look right to him.
John Paul Marentette, 42 Cameron, stated that he has lived in his home for 3 years and 2 months and that, while he loves the neighbourhood, there are individuals wandering at night and he has had both his car and boat broken into. He read aloud a letter written by John Neill (presently of 202 Division St. North, directly adjacent to 194 Division St N. and who could not attend this meeting) who expressed serious concern with and opposition to any and all "future developments, lot creations or amendments of any kind to this property until the owner and property managers have addressed the criminal activity and poor standards currently in play on this property".
Unidentified resident, 42 Cameron (north side) commented that he has heard loud disturbances from the apartment complex (yelling, squealing tires). He hopes the situation is corrected in a way that resolves the issue but saves the integrity of the neighbourhood and the green space behind it and, however it is achieved, that that is the only outcome that will do justice to the long-term residents, the new residents and the people in that neighbourhood.
Eric Ricker, 25 Cameron, stated that he moved in on July 19, 2017 and has telephoned the police because his dogs have been poisoned with meat.
Pat Lord, resident of Kingsville, stated that at its October 17, 2017 meeting, the Committee of Adjustment for the Town of Kingsville denied the consent application for a lot severance at 194 Division St. North after hearing residents' concerns. He suggested a proposal for consideration by the Town, whereby the property between Division St. North and Prince Albert St. North would be purchased at a fair price and then donated to the Town to adjoin the existing adjacent Prince Albert St. N. Park for future generations to enjoy. He suggested that the Mayor, the Town's CAO, and the Windsor-Essex Community Housing Corporation meet with him to discuss this proposal.
Ed Cornies, 110 Prince Albert, read aloud a letter from himself, Beth Grant, Susan MacKay, Sheri Lowrie and William Cornies, dated October 23, 2017, providing comments on the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment (Proposed By-law 107-2017) for 194 Division St. North. The correspondence recommended that the proposed zoning amendment for 194 Division St. N. be rejected, that the existing R3.1 zoning remain in place, and requesting Council to not consider any further zoning change unless and until the Housing Corporation makes a formal application to amend the by-law and then, if such application is made, that different zoning regulations be applied to the front and rear portions of the property, as detailed in said correspondence.
Mr. Karl Tanner, Planner, representing Windsor-Essex Community Housing Corporation stated he is in support of Administration's recommendation, that errors occur and were not intended. He stated that his client wants the zoning back to that which was in existence in 2014.
Bonnie Baldwin, 151 Prince Albert St. North commented that in the early 1970s senior housing was looked at in an area of Lakeside Park, and she wondered if perhaps the original zoning intent was for a senior citizen home rather than an apartment building. She referred to a Kingsville Reporter article wherein reference to a senior home was made repeatedly.
There were no other questions or comments from the public.
Deputy Mayor Queen commented that there was a zoning error as a result of the consolidated Comprehensive Zoning By-law prepared by Consultant Crozier/Baird, and an error also in the circulated Notice of Public Meeting referring to 32 Prince Albert St. North, rather than 32 Prince Albert St. South.