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Vol. 10, Issue 45
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Kingsville residents oppose Main Street condo proposal By Sheila McBrayne
KINGSVILLE – If rezoning applications were decided by a show of hands, this one proposed for 183 Main Street E., Kingsville would be dead in the water by a vote of about 197–3 against the application. It was an unusually packed house for the Kingsville Planning Committee meeting held Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Kingsville Arena, as approximately 200 concerned residents attended to hear concerns and opinions on a proposed re-zoning application. Brotto Family Holdings wants to take down the existing house and garage at 183 Main Street E. to build five townhouses with attached garages, and a six-storey 28-unit condominium with parking for 1.3 vehicles per unit. The first speaker of the night was the neighbouring property owner at 171 Main Street, Anne Marie Lemire. As the 20-year neighbour, she passionately opposes the application for re-zoning to accommodate the six-storey building and the demolition of the existing 95-yearold property of historical significance. After reading the description of Kingsville from its own website describing a quaint town, lined with Victorian houses, Lemire stated: “The change in zoning goes against what we promote to guests and tourists.” “They’re asking for exceptions on an already terrible situation,” she said of the increased traffic, lack of parking and diminished appearance of the main street. “More planning is needed… Slow down development,” she stated. Mary Ellen Havlik start-
ed an on-line petition on change.org and had 1,350 supporters (as of Nov. 20) and another 400 signatures on a paper petition. Jared Dykstra, a planner from Zelinka Priamo Ltd., representing his client Brotto Family Holdings at the
Planning Committee meeting, stated that the proposed condo units construction (if the re-zoning bylaw application is approved) complies with provincial policy and the Official Plans of the County of Essex and the Town of Kingsville. “I am a Torontonian who moved here – all the reasons we came here are people like you here tonight,” one lady told the crowd. “I appreciate that the town needs to make changes, but it’s not right to put condominiums on Main Street… I would hate to see Kingsville lose the quaintness it has,” she added. Longtime Kingsville resident Tom Klassen, who lives in an 1861 heritage house, told the Planning Committee that this was an opportunity for the future planning of the town. “You need a long range plan. This is shooting from the hip – don’t do it. Have a plan,” he said.
Approximately 200 Kingsville area residents filled the monthly meeting of the Kingsville Planning Committee on Tuesday, Nov. 19 to voice concern over a proposal to tear down 183 Main St. E. and build five townhouses with attached garages, and a six-storey 28-unit condominium. (Southpoint Sun Photos)
ABOVE, LEFT: The house is 183 Main, which is being proposed to be removed and replaced by the sixstorey, 28-unit condo and five townhouses. ABOVE, RIGHT: is 171 Main, neighbours who oppose this development beside their homes. LEFT: Is an architectural rendering of the proposed 28-unit condo.
Planning Committee Chair John Lein reminded the crowd that they were speaking to the Planning Committee and not Council. Deputy-Mayor Gord Queen and Councillor Laurie Lucier are the two council members who sit on the Planning Committee. Bill Baker, owner of the Windsor-Essex Trolley Tours, told the crowd that Kingsville is the number one destination that his riders are looking for. “The downtown core is what they like. They are starting to comment on the fast growth, traffic and that it’s becoming not small enough,” he said.
During the meeting it was stated that Kingsville has already approved five multi-storey condominium projects throughout the town. “Take a rest and take a look. Whatever is legal or allowed doesn’t mean it’s right,” said Baker. At the end of the twohour meeting, Queen made a motion to put together all the comments from the evening into a package to be presented to all of Kingsville Council. “We’ve made some good decisions and some bad decisions. The purpose here is to hear public input. I suggest that the presentation tonight be sent
to all of Council,” he stated. Committee member Wayne Latam seconded Queen’s motion, which was carried. “We listen and make recommendations,” stated Latam. What now? All of the information from the Nov. 19th meeting will be compiled into a package and presented to Kingsville Council, who will ultimately decide if the re-zoning application will be approved or not. Kingsville Town Planner Robert Brown stated that the matter would probably not be in front of Council until January or February of 2020.
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