There was a
community meeting hosted by the city councilor this past Wednesday at Erindale Secondary School. Glen, an urban planning consultant, represented the developer.
By the time I got there the parking lot was full and the auditorium was packed. The community came out in force and were passionate about the need to continue retail/commercial in the space.
Key points from community
*
Gathering space – integral with our community, sports teams after games at Baskins, bakery, bank, hair dresser, dentist, vet, convenience, prepared foods, small restaurants, and grocery all walkable and servicing the community.
* Dentist spoke about the desire to stay and reinforced the lack of
retail space for existing tenants. Noted, that she isn’t concerned about herself but all of her patients.
* Concerns about
traffic, in and out; concerns for traffic down Sawmill Valley, small portion of folkway already very busy and difficult to get in and out of higher density complex
* Concerns over
height and density of complex, with no services to existing residential. No respect or regard for existing design and density of neighbourhood.
* Very passionate and emotional young lady
supporting development, unfortunately succumbed to nerves and the argument went sideways but her point through the emotion was valid that young people can’t afford to buy in the neighbourhood. Glen representing Queenscorp admitted that there is
no consideration for “affordable housing” in the model. Would not comment on price points etc and honestly probably can’t as cost of building is unknown for timelines.
