Hamilton Mountain property to get townhouses despite opposition

A piece of land measuring less than one hectare with a single-family house currently constructed on it will now get seven two-storey street townhouses built within the neighbourhood as part of the city's intensification strategy.

The Nov. 29 planning committee approved a rezoning application that will allow the townhouses for 11 Springside Dr. near Rymal Road constructed despite criticism from residents in the Allison neighbourhood.

There has been some fairly significant opposition to this development," said Ward 8 Coun. John-Paul Danko, who represents the area.

Councillors will vote on the recommendation at their Dec. 7 meeting.

Nearby homeowners argued their disagreement with the development in letters to the city, stating it will contribute to ongoing traffic and parking problems in the area.

We and the neighbours are not opposed to orderly development," stated Jodi Compovari, who has lived in the area for about 40 years. However, we strongly oppose aggressive variances, minor or otherwise and bylaw amendments that stretch this neighbourhood's character."

Jim and Helen Spring argued Springside Drive is very narrow" with ditches, and traffic congregates at the Springside and Rymal Road traffic intersection. They said the development will add more vehicles to the area, contributing to a safety issue for pedestrians who have to walk along the road because there are no sidewalks.

Rick Hunter-Wolff said, There is too much congestion in too little area."

GSP Group planner Joseph Liberatore said the property was originally zoned for a single-family dwelling in the 1950s. A single-family house currently occupies the property. But in 2005, the neighbourhood changed because of the creation of the Greenbelt. Liberatore said under the zoning, a 30,000-square-foot house was allowed on the property.

But the owner applied in 2019 for a two-storey mixed use development with commercial space on the bottom floor and seven residential units with 19 parking spaces. In 2021, the owner, in response to opposition to residents, submitted a revised application for eight, two-storey townhouses. A final submission reduced the townhouses to seven with two parking spaces per unit.

Of the 38 tress on the 0.17 hectare property, 18 of them will be removed, stated staff.

City Planning's James Van Rooi said the property is located in an older" neighbourhood that is now moving in a direction where we support intensification. The lands have been designated for larger lots."

Van Rooi said the seven townhouses will not have a perceptible difference on traffic" in the neighbourhood. In addition, staff agrees with a drainage report provided by the owner that it will not impact the area.

Danko said the land is under a completely different planning environment" that it was years ago with the province insisting on intensifying properties within an urban boundary.

He said the owner has considered residents' concerns in the final application by reducing the development to fit the property.

It has been scaled down significantly," he said. We can't just oppose an application because we don't like it. We need a planning (reason)."

Danko said the application fits" the neighbourhood with a proposal that is badly needed," especially on the BLAST transportation network.