The City of Belleville’s Planning Committee has received an application for a three-storey addition to an existing three-storey residential building on Front Street.
The existing unit includes commercial space on the ground floor as well as 10 dwelling units. It also contains five existing parking spaces.
The proposal includes a three-storey addition to the back of the building, with two dwelling units on each floor for a total of six additional dwelling units.
It would also reduce the size of a one bedroom unit to 35 square metres from 42 square metres.
No additional parking spaces are planned for the addition.
Site owner Ali Omar explained why there were no plans for additional parking.
“I have five parking spots and I’m only using three,” Omar explained to the committee.
“Majority of my tenants don’t require parking. You know, they work, they take public transportation. I have students, international students. Like I said, I don’t see parking being an issue.”
A business owner close by to the building, Diane Bartlett of Upfront Gallery, spoke in opposition of the proposal saying parking is an issue.
“I know that Mr. Omar believes that everyone will have use of public transit but his parking lot is full,” Bartlett said.
“Six more units is six more potential people and yes they manage expectations, however, people move in and out. People party and come home at two in the morning. People trespass. People leave garbage. I’m not saying that those new tenants will do that but this has been our experience.”
Staff will put together a recommendation report on how to move forward with the proposal with the report being brought to a future committee meeting.
