Belleville city council will be asked to deny two separate requests to convert apartment buildings into condominiums.
On Tuesday night, the Planning Advisory Committee considered the two applications.
The owner of 217 Bridge Street East, Parkwood Apartments Limited, wants to convert the seven-storey building, with 68 apartments, to condominiums.
Also the owner of two 12-unit apartment buildings at 230-232 Moira street East, Moira Street Apartments Limited, is seeking approval for conversion to condominiums.
Councillor Bill Sandison opposed the moves, pointing to the city’s “acute rental shortage, at a 2.4% vacancy rate.”
Sandison told the committee, “It has steadily worsened.”
Mayor Mitch Panciuk also opposed the applications, saying there is a “full-blown housing crisis.”
He said approval would be “an “irresponsible action to take.”
Belleville’s Planning Advisory Committee, August 6, 2019 (Photo: Mary Thomas/Quinte News)
Panciuk tells Quinte News it would “cut city taxes.”
He noted the city had to increase taxes to meet a $700,000 deficit last April that was related to such conversions in the past.
The mayor told Quinte News that if council denies the applications, and there is an appeal to a tribunal, the city would have to fight that appeal.
Committee member Katherine Brown supported the Bridge Street application, saying it would increase affordable housing by two units.
Councillor Ryan Williams pointed out the rental units would be held for 10 years.
Following a debate, the committee decided to recommend city council deny both applications.
