Proposed 3-storey Derby Road apartments get mixed reactions

A builder is pitching a development proposal in Fort Erie as an opportunity for the town to give a little to receive a lot.

However, neighbours seem to see the proposed apartment building–that will feature a heavy focus on affordable housing–in a different light. At a public meeting held Monday to introduce the plan, residents expressed concerns over parking, loss of privacy, traffic, construction, and drainage.

“I just think this is a humongous monstrosity,” said Derby Road resident Tanya Turner.

She moved into a nearby 100-year-old character home and said she fears what damage construction could have on her foundation.

Property owner Steve Bremmer is proposing the build. According to a staff information report, the plan is to build a three-storey, 30-unit rental apartment on the 3,000-square-metre parcel that fronts on Derby Road at the intersection with Michener Road. Most of the units would have two bedrooms, with five three-bedroom units and one single.

To allow the development, council would have to approve an official plan amendment to permit an apartment building on the property. They would also have to approve a zoning amendment to a site specific Residential Multiple 2 (RM2) zone from a site specific Residential Multiple 1 zone to allow the building to go to three storeys.

Additionally, slight relief from RM2 zoning provisions for minimum lot area, maximum lot coverage, the number of parking spaces and landscape strip rules would also be required.

Bremmer suggested the tradeoff is worth the opportunity for the town to gain 30 rental units.

“The small areas that were deficient I don’t think are worth losing units,” he said, adding his expectation is that all the units will be affordable and he’s planning to look at accessibility opportunities and potential partnerships with organizations like Community Living Fort Erie.

“I don’t think we can build something that’s affordable that looks much better than that,” he said.

The plan includes 42 parking spots, slightly under the 45 that’s required by town rules. Of those, 26 would be underground, which worried some residents. Despite being on the top of a hill, the area still experiences drainage issues.

“Underground parking, I think, is insane. It’s just so wet,” Turner said.

Bremmer stressed his desire to take care of drainage issues as well, saying failure to do so would only cost him more in the long run.

Gloria Teesdale also worried about the plan to have a single access.

“They’ll all go into the fire lane that’s next to my property,” she said.

While Bill Thomas, a Fort Erie resident and chair of the affordable housing advisory committee, said neighbours’ concerns should be addressed as best they can, he applauded the effort to build affordable housing, commending both council for raising questions and Bremmer for trying to build affordable units.

“I think that if the concerns of people in the neighbourhood can be addressed, then I would actually speak in favour of this development because I think affordable units are a much needed component of the housing strategy for the town,” he said.

No decisions were made at the public meeting. Staff will prepare a recommendation based on comments received and present it to council for a decision at a future meeting.

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