The City of Belleville’s Planning Committee held its meeting at Council Chambers on Tuesday.
Here are three notable applications that were discussed for public input and comment during the meeting.
40 Wilson Avenue
The application would facilitate the development of a total of 160 dwelling units on the western part of the property.
The eastern part is expected to be brought forward in a separate application at a future meeting of the planning committee.
This includes 59 one-unit detached dwellings, 30 one-unit semi-detached dwellings, and 71 one-unit townhouse dwellings.
Members of the public expressed some concern about increased traffic in the area, with one resident noting the Palmer Road and Wilson Avenue intersection.
Another resident expressed a similar concern of additional congestion from Wilson Avenue impacting traffic going into Bridge Street West.
No final decision was made on the application, comments from public input will be part of a staff report that will be brought back to the committee at a future meeting.
1 North Front Street
The application proposes a new nine-storey mid-rise multi-unit dwelling which would contain 53 dwelling units. In addition, the application also proposes that the ground floor of the existing building, known as Sagonaska Place, converts into six dwelling units.
Staff noted in their presentation to the committee that 30 percent of the 59 total dwelling units would be affordable.
No members of the public came forward during the meeting, but staff noted that they did receive written correspondence from a member of the public expressing some concern about the project.
The written correspondence will be assessed and addressed in a staff report at a future meeting, as part of a motion approved by the committee.
No final decision on the application has been made.
41 Octavia Street (Former Queen Mary School property)
A public meeting was held to look into amendments to the City of Belleville’s Official Plan and Zoning By-law that would preserve a minimum of 0.59 hectares of parkland while also facilitating the development of 95 to 145 residential dwelling units for the Queen Mary Affordable Housing Project.
At least 50 units would be intended to be affordable.
A Request for Proposals (RFP) for the project was released for the subject land back on July 20, with submissions for the RFP closing on August 24.
Staff will bring forward a recommendation report to Council at a future council meeting once the evaluation process is complete.
Development of the site will not begin until council has approved a successful proponent, and that proponent has entered into an agreement with the City, completed the development approval process, and provided all the necessary supporting studies.
During public comments, the main concern among West Hill residents was the amount of green space that would be preserved.
A number of residents noted how the green space is utilized within the community ranging from the park in the area as well as a number of community groups that utilized the space, including Girl Guides.
A petition with over 1,000 signatures was also cited, opposing changing the park’s use.
Several councillors reiterated that no decision was being made on the property as of now, and that they were only receiving public comment that would be brought forward to city staff for a future report.
