From left, South Church Street area resident Murray LaBerge confronts agent Chris Nava at Belleville’s Planning Committee meeting, October 1, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas./Quinte News)
Residents from Belleville’s South Church Street area packed city council chambers last night to fight off some multi-unit housing proposals.
The plans called for the two housing projects to be at 55 and 59 Church Street South.
The agent said they would be multi-generational seasonal housing for the proponents who live in Montreal and Toronto.
Murray LaBerge, speaking for many of the residents in the audience, said the projects “opened the doors to boarding housing, students’ residences in an area of single family dwellings.”
LaBerge pointed to the flooding issues, referring to last year’s flooding in the area which saw fish swimming on the street. He said there is heavy traffic from tourists and the boat ramp area “people often had to park along the street.”
He declared many homes in the area are valued at $700,000 and $1 million. “It is a crown jewel in the southern Lake Ontario shore” and indicated the project would not fit long range plans for the area.
“We ask you to deny the plan. The infrastructure won’t support it, the community won’t support it,” LaBerge declared.
A crowd packed Belleville’s council chambers October 1, 2018 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
The Planning Committee denied the rezoning due to insufficient parking, to resounding applause from the audience.
