Belleville Councillor Jack Miller at the city’s Planning Committee meeting, March 5, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Plans for another 25 houses in the area of Belleville’s Deerfield Park may go ahead despite a great deal of opposition from area residents.
The residents packed city council chambers Monday night.
Some had written to the city and some appeared at the podium at the Planning Committee meeting, objecting to the proposed rezoning.
Many residents of Gardner and Gavey streets said they had been”verbally informed” when they bought their homes that the land, next to them, would not be developed.
They were concerned about loss of privacy, pedestrian traffic and disruption during the construction.
Chris Prud’homme addresses Belleville’s Planning Committee, March 5, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Resident Chris Prud’homme told the committee there needed to be an acoustical study and a privacy fence if the project goes ahead.
Staff members reported to the committee that when Deerfield Park was developed it was recognized that the nearby area would also be developed.
Staff also recommended a circular street rather than two cul-de-sacs being proposed by the developers, four private owners and the Canadian Conference of the Brethren in Christ Church.
Councillor Jack Miller said he understood the problem the residents face but the Official Plan allows it, and if overturned by the city it could go to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Both councillors Paul Carr and Mitch Panciuk pointed out it was not what residents had expected in their neighbourhood.
The committee voted 6 to 2 to recommend city council approve the development, with Carr and Panciuk opposing. Two members were absent.
