PelhamToday received the following letter to the editor regarding the Canboro Estates development plan:
For anyone following this controversial development (officially referred to as the “Canboro Estates"), Town of Pelham Council recently approved this development by a 4 to 3 vote. It’s controversial because this development entails demolishing two long-standing structures, housing 14 tenants in five rental units. These tenants will be evicted once this project proceeds. They’ll be evicted into what is essentially a non-existent rental market in Pelham.
With rents in Ontario now averaging over $2000 a month, that is well beyond what these folks can afford. Several are seniors, one who is over 90. And for what? Six estate homes which will probably cost a million-plus each. Affordable for whom—certainly not these tenants. This homogenous development runs counter to many Provincial and Regional housing policies along with what every housing expert tells us how we should be building housing these days (i.e., housing that is mixed, affordable and increases density), but unfortunately not so given some of Pelham’s antiquated policies and a developer-friendly Planning Dept.
I attended a public meeting some while ago where not one person in the packed Council Chambers spoke in favour of this development. Who listened to us citizens? Clearly Mayor Junkin and Councillors Olson and Eckardt, since they voted against this project. I was especially struck by comments of Councillor Wink who stated these million-dollar homes were the lesser of two evils, given the possibility the developer could put a three-story apartment building on this site.
Heaven forbid that any developer should try to build an apartment building in Pelham (that is indeed a very rare event). Heaven forbid that the current 14 tenants should have an opportunity to stay in their community in affordable accommodation.
Several are seniors, one who is over 90
So what’s the alternative for these tenants, homelessness? We all know there’s plenty of that around. And four Pelham councillors raised their hands in surrender without a fight! By the by, the large lot at 88 Daleview, where the current two-story apartment stands (and has done so for decades and with no detriment to the neighbourhood), I expect could easily accommodate a three-story apartment. As Councillor Wink noted, it’s already zoned for this. T.R. Hinan, the developer, is already a landlord. So I put it to T.R. Hinan, build a rental (not condo) building on this site if you are so determined to raze the current structure.
Finally, I recognize there is an elephant in the room, and that is one of Pelham’s antiquated policies which allows a building owner to apply for a demolition permit, and Bob’s your uncle—you got it, building gone!
Once Pelham adopts the new Official Plan there is a provision in that Plan that a municipality can adopt a bylaw which states to the effect that demolition of existing housing rental units will not be permitted without the replacement of the same or a higher number of rental units. This bylaw needs to be Job Number One for Town Council once the Official Plan is approved, so in the future no tenant will find themselves out on the street at the mere whim of a developer with a wrecking ball!
At this juncture I’m afraid all I can offer the tenants at 88 Daleview is sincere best wishes and good luck that you will be able to find some decent and affordable housing, somewhere.
Graham Pett
Fonthill
