> July 12, 2024 Stratford Times Neighbours ex CONTI the ae factory, T The biggest and most fre- quent concern discussed during the meet- ing was the 10-storey building, which isn’t being proposed for the original factory but would be a new build on the southern por- tion of the site. As Alex Burnett, planner with the city, pointed out, a 10-storey building is 36 me- tres tall. Currently, the tallest residential pullging 4 a Stratford is seven storeys or 22 metres Caroline) Baker, representing BMI Group, the developers, said that in accordance with the city’s process, representatives contacted a number of neighbours prior to the pub- lic meeting inquiring about whether they would support such a development or not. She said they canvassed in the afternoon when the majority of neighbours wouldn’t be at work, and the 10-storey building was discussed during those conversations. Marva Bailey-Wisdom was the first of the public to speak during the meeting. Though IN ATTENDANCE from their neighbours on the Krug developm: it was not a requirement to give an adie she did, saying her family is at 266 King St. She pointed to her mother, Eva Bailey, in the gallery. The elder Bailey still gardens for many neighbours in the —— ROYAL LEPAG! tne Realty pein ie peated Brokerage 100 re St Sato SHERRIE ROULSTON Real Estate Broker email: sherrieroulston@royallepage.ca Direct: 519-272-3578 area and wanted to know about parkland, which Bak- er later clarified that 42 per cent of the seven-acre devel- opment is ce age as land- scape/open spac Bailey- Wisdom also had concern over some of the nae being us ‘There are a aiiiees of comments or allusions to be Owners are consider- , this is not the owners’ tadenee Bailey-Wisdom said. % PHARMACY Your Community Pharmacy in Stratford northendpharmacy1@gmail.com Mon-Fri: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Sat: 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Sun: Closed @® EASY Prescription Transfe @ FREE Prescription Delivery @® Everyday 15% Seniors Discount! C) FREE Compliance Packaging ) Prescribing Pharmacist and more! (CONNOR LUCZKA PHOTO) In a gallery fit to burst, residents gathered on ee 27 to share their opinions and hear De hopefulness (sic) is that some of these will be a little bit more concrete as we go lown the line.” A few residents, like Jason Davis, did praise the development for building up rather than out and encroaching on farm- a =I Davis also inquired about EV parking and recharge stations and pointed out many families have two vehicles and the parking currently proposed in the report wouldn’t be enough for them. Parking on the street isn’t a feasible solution either since park- ing tickets would rack up quick Right as the meeting was about to be- gin, suspended ee Mike Sullivan appeared in the. is presence gallery. ~ chambers, which was Pessithed by the city fora three-month period after alleged respectful workplace policy violations, had previously cancelled two public meetings. After Mayor Martin Ritsma asked him to leave, Sullivan did, saying he would be leaving only out of the interest of all the citizens that had filled the gallery for the ublic meeting. “T will leave in order to allow this meeting to go ahead and I appreciate the patience of all you here and all those who have sup- ported me throughout this,” Sullivan said. Sullivan left his comments and concerns on the development with Sharon Colling- wood, who read them after she presented her concerns, including that the decision to press support for ae Factory redevelopment Ag 2 allow this zone change is precedent setting. Sullivan’s concerns revolved around much of what was already discussed and also what this development adds to the climate crisis and the density a 10-storey building would bring to the city. “The developer is looking to you, may- or and council, for enormous easements,” Collingwood read. “Among aan 10-storey building not currently i anywhere in Stratford, significantly ee greater density that is permitted.” Lorne Johnstone was one of the residents that spoke on the infrastructure of the area. He said when it rains heavily in the area, the sewers already back up and flood, won- dering what will be done when there are more than 300 more families in the area. Baker said the report ice ae devel- opment couldn’t be serviced wi isting sewer infrastructure, that ie storm trunk would be lowered so that the storm sewer is closer to grade, that a new sani- tary line would be brought in to improve overall conditions and the developers will incur the cost. Whether the proposed units will be af- fordable, Baker said that the intention is for 10 per cent to be affordable units by the Province of Ontario’s definition, whic! 30 per cent of a household’s income. Baker estimated prices for affordable units may start at $400,000 to $700,000 to purchase. Renting would be in the ballpark cis 1.000 lany residents also expressed ire at the my of councillors at the meeting, Four Councillors — Coun. Larry McCabe, Coun. Lesley Biehn, Coun. Jo-Dee Burbach and Coun. Mark Hunter — were absent and sent their regrets. No decision was made during the public meeting, as Ritsma stated, but the devel- opment will be coming back to council in the future. Due to Provincial guidelines, Ritsma said there isn’t time to have another pub- lic meeting, as some residents suggested, though he did stress that comments, con- cerns and questions from the public can still be sent to the city to be considered by staff and council. THE PLA\ Ried ties, tag, . 4: oe ates (BMI GROUP PHOTO) A mockup of the development included on BMI Group's writeup on the Builders Block.