City committee recommends approval of 387-unit housing development at former Fogolar Furlan site
A city committee unanimously endorsed re-zoning lands for a massive proposed housing development in central Windsor Monday night.
But not before neighbouring residents around the Fogolar Furlan property spoke out against the project.
The proposed development would see five, six-storey buildings go up on the former Foglar Furlan sports fields on approximately 10 acres of land.
The proposal calls for a total of 387 units, nearly 500 parking spaces and a new access road to the subdivision off North Service Road.
And neighbours aren’t happy.
“Is this something that you would want in your backyard?” asks Amy Grady. “I understand, build something there, but not that.”
“I believe the magnitude of this project is too big,” said Grant Debroe, a resident who’s house backs onto the proposed development. “That’s my personal opinion.”
“None of us residents want this in our area,” said another delegate speaking before the Heritage and Development Standing Committee.
Complaints range from view obstruction to increased neighbourhood traffic, pollution, privacy and shadows that will “steal sunshine” and upset existing residents’ quality of life.
“Why are you pushing this when no one wants it?” said another nearby resident.
The matter has been before the development committee before, but was deferred multiples times to appease neighbours’ set-back concerns.
Proponent HD Development Group made adjustments and moved the development 20 metres away from the neighbouring backyards.
“I sincerely hope area residents who are opposed to this development will be pleased with our new latest design,” said Haider Habib of the HD Development Group.
“In my professional opinion, I feel like this is sound planning,” said Jackie Lassaline, who was hired on by the proponents to undertake a comprehensive study of the development to ensure it complied with the city and provincial planning documents. “I do believe it conforms with the official plan of the city of windsor and does comply with the comprehensive zoning bylaw.”
The committee members agreed.
“It’s checking all the boxes. But yes, there will be impacts for the people in the neighbourhood,” said Ward 9 Coun. Kieran McKenzie, noting the need for housing in Windsor outweighs the neighbourhood concerns.
“We have a housing crisis in this community, we have a housing crisis that we need to address,” said McKenzie. “That means intensification. Intensification in previously and currently developed areas.”
With the committee’s unanimous recommendation, the application will now like go before council in March.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.