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22 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 14, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Prospective neighbours object to high-rise plan By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Monstrosity, eye sore, blight. These were just a few of the words used by the residents of Burnet and Brant Street to describe a proposed development project that would erect a 16-storey mixed-use building and 14-three storey townhouses in their neighborhood. During the public information meeting last week, at which the development project was discussed, town officials stressed the purpose of the evening was only to go over the developer's application and that the town had not yet made a recommendation for or against the proposed plan. "Town planning staff are here to listen to your questions and respond to those we can," said Barbara Koopmans, Acting Director of Planning, Town of Oakville. "This is a very initial part of the process. We're here to obtain input from the public. We have circulated the application to a variety of agencies. We have to take all that information into consideration, develop a firm and defensible position. We will then provide our recommendations to council." Residents at the meeting were adamantly opposed to the prospect of a 16-storey structure being built in their neighborhood. "The reality of it is that it's just too big for the location and residential area we're in," said Ray Chisholm. "It's absolutely massive, the relationship is way out of whack. I think we can all agree with that." Another resident called the plan "ridiculous" and said placing such a colossal apartment building in a residential area would only serve to add to traffic congestion. The comments got little nastier as more and more residents weighed in on the proposal. "I find the application quite arrogant," said Andrew Taylor. "It's stepping all over the local residents. We moved here many years ago because of the area that it was and still is. We moved here because it was a cottage area. Our houses have changed, they've modernized, but this is still a wonderful place to live. When we walk the streets and a car comes by, chances are it's someone you know so you wave. I'm really concerned that if we have a proposal like this go through, it will change forever what we've all come to love and why we live here." The opposition to the proposed development finally culminated with one resident calling all present who have a problem with it to stand. Nearly all of the 40-50 people at the meeting rose to their feet. In another portion of the meeting, John Macdonald, of the West Harbour Residents' Association, directly questioned the President and CEO of Moldenhauer Development, Michael Moldenhauer, who brought the development proposal forward. "Mike, do you know how many houses, how many residences there are in West Harbour?" asked Macdonald who continued when no answer was forthcoming. "So you don't know how much this proposal is going to change the density of this West Harbour area? This will be just shy of an 80 per cent increase in the density of this area. Would you not agree that this will completely change the character of the West Harbour area?" Moldenhauer responded that his development would be an improvement to an area he characterized as deserted. "I think that if the residents have the benefit of being educated on what the impacts are of the building that that would go a long way to easing concerns," he said. "Change is a very difficult situation in any development application. You speak with authority, you're a builder yourself and you know that in building and development applications change brings a level of resistance from all communities in all projects." When challenged by the residents to explain some of the development's benefits, Moldenhauer responded that the development would bring new retail opportunities that would revitalize the area and benefit all residents. He also noted that the development would actually increase the privacy of residents on Burnet Street. "You're currently looking at the back of a retail plaza with dumpsters, parking, that sort of thing. By introducing a row of townhouses in front of those homes we're going to create a more favorable private environment, which is a rear yard to rear yard position," said Moldenhauer. Moldenhauer said the residents' concerns about the shadows cast by such a massive building in their neighborhood were unfounded. "We weren't here to try and build something that was offensive," he said. "The consultants were sent to make models and determine who is going to be offended by this, who's going to get shadowed by this. The answer is no one, no one." This statement provoked a murmur from the crowd. "As part of our application we have provided shadow studies to the town. You're more than welcome to look at them," said Moldenhauer. "I'm more than willing to have someone show me a shadow study that says they'll get more shadows than they do today." Town planners confirmed that these shadow studies had been received and were available to those present. Despite Moldenhauer assurances, the audience still remained unconvinced with residents continuing to speak out against the traffic congestion, shadows and other problems they believe will come with the development. Even Moldenhauer's promise of new retail opportunities drew fire. "Who did you talk to? Do we need more retail down there," said Chisholm. "It's busy enough in that area. I don't think we need a large retail complex. It's a residential area. It doesn't need more traffic. I think there are a lot of better ways to try and revitalize the west end instead of trying to turn it into the Ennisclare area of Bronte with multiple high-rises, which is probably where it's going to go," said another resident. The next step in the process will be a statutory public meeting in which the residents will have the opportunity to address their concerns directly to council. While this meeting will be scheduled at some point in the new year, some residents are recommending council be made aware of how the residents of West Harbour feel long before that. "We're all responsible for writing something and saying something to council to protect what we have here," said Taylor to all present. An HD TV with six months of free HD, even if you're naughty. 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