Norman Street residents are concerned about a proposal to widen this narrow community path.
Disagreement over planning in the city’s core continues to hinder the implementation of the Centretown Community Design Plan, creating frustration for residents, businesses and developers.
Development projects have struck a nerve with many community associations who say that the current plan and its zoning bylaws are not being followed by the city.
The Centretown Citizens Community Association is concerned that the city is deviating from zoning bylaws set in place by the year-old plan.
“We would really like to see the city, when there are zoning bylaws in place, that the bylaws are stuck to, and that these are the laws,” says Rob Dekker, co-chair of the CCCA’s planning committee.
He says it is “ironic” that city staff are the ones who propose and approve these zoning bylaws, but then do not follow them.
The Community Design Plan for Centretown was approved by city council last February after four years of study and community consultation. It sets the ground rules for zoning and is intended to act as a guide for development.
But the CCCA contested the plan shortly after its approval and filed an appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board, citing concerns over tall building provisions, residential and mixed use zoning in certain areas, and the plan to allow more commercial and office space in residential buildings on Somerset Street between O’Connor and Elgin.
The CCCA’s appeal of the design plan is expected to be heard by the Ontario Municipal Board this fall, says Dekker, which leaves some wondering whether the community was adequately consulted in the first place.
Little Italy resident Jamie Liew says the consultation process is not working for residents.
“There has to be better mechanisms for the voices of the community to be heard, but also that they actually be heard, rather than going through the motions of just listening to us and then approving plans writ large without any changes or amendments.”
In the end, it is residents who get the worse deal when the city sides with developers, say community groups.
Liew says she knows the feeling. Taggart construction has proposed a condo development close to her home on Norman Street, just off of Preston.
The building would create huge problems for her small street, Liew says.
“To think that a tall building has a place there, in our minds it’s ridiculous and contrary to what the neighbourhood is all about.”
Liew is also concerned about how emergency vehicles will access the narrow street. The developer has proposed to widen a community path located in a small green space to allow emergency vehicles to squeeze past. But that, says Liew, is unacceptable.
She is also concerned about how the proposed Norman Street building would shadow her garden and affect street dynamics.
“That’s frustrating for residents, because they move into an area understanding what the zoning is . . . and what they can expect to be one of their neighbours,” says Dekker.
The planning committee is expected to review the Norman Street proposal in March.
Residents are hoping that the city will adhere to zoning guidelines and avoid granting exceptions.