Residents of Little Italy are raising funds to fight a proposed condo tower they say conflicts with the community’s vision for development in the southwest corner of Centretown.
Community members say the proposed nine-storey tower and Preston-Carling District Secondary Plan will change the character of Little Italy. Residents also say the developments will cause accessibility issues for the community and emergency vehicles.
These community members have formed a group called Save Little Italy to raise funds needed to appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board, which arbitrates disputes involving local residents, developers and city planners. Residents plan to appeal both the Secondary Plan and the proposed nine-storey tower on Norman Street.
City planners say the Norman Street development is in line with policies for mixed-use centres and that the proposed development improves the community without harming existing buildings.
Eric Darwin, former president of the Dalhousie Community Association and fundraiser for the appeal, says the plan has good elements, but the community’s concerns have not been addressed.
“We’ve had good relations with the city on some other neighbourhood plans but this one was just the bulldozer approach where they were in a stampede to rezone as much as they could for as high as they could,” says Darwin.
Theresa Redmond, a Little Italy resident and member of Save Little Italy, says the plan does not protect residents.
“It doesn’t protect the core of the heart of Little Italy,” she says.
Lori Mellor, executive director of the Preston Business Improvement Area, echoed these concerns.
“We encourage the height all around the perimeter, but we want to protect the six blocks that run between Carling and Somerset,” says Mellor.
Mellor says the BIA wants to keep all buildings between Carling and Somerset at four storeys, in order to decrease shade and maintain a pedestrian-friendly environment.
“Our whole vision was a pedestrian-friendly boulevard that people could walk along in the sunshine and fresh air,” she says.
Jamie Liew, the main spokesperson for Save Little Italy, says fundraising efforts for an appeal are at the halfway point. Liew says the goal is to reach about $30,000 to cover the expected legal costs.
“The preparation and the consultation involving some experts will take some time and effort and that is why it costs so much money,” she says.
Liew says the group expects to attend a hearing by next summer.
The group has held many fundraisers including an Electronic Waste event where old electronics were collected from the community and the metals were exchanged for money. They have also promoted their own brand of coffee and designed their own t-shirts.
Upcoming fundraising events include a getting to know Little Italy dinner series at Kiko Sushi Bar and a comedy night. Profits from tickets sold at these events will go towards the group’s appeal.