EloraFergusToday received the following letter about the proposed apartment building at the corner of St. Andrews and Gowrie streets.
In regards to the town meeting requesting variance to build a five-storey apartment building at the corner of St. Andrews and Gowrie streets:
The issues for the local resident/neighbours had some nice presentations, and some garbled ramblings I'm not sure made any point whatsoever. The people in favour of the thing were people looking for places to rent, not those whose current "small historic town feel" lifestyle and property value will be negatively impacted by it.
I'm one of the negatively affected, along with approximately 30 or 40 others who own residences within 70 or 100 meters. I have spoken with many of them, not a single one is in favour. The "shell game" with the lack of parking is apparent. These nine spots at the other buildings Gillis owns are currently full most days of the week. Tell the four or five adjacent heritage properties on St. Andrew street north side whose back yards will be shaded out by this building from noon every day to dusk that there's low impact.
As for sightlines, the balconies on the currently not permitted fourth and fifth floors will be able to see right into my yard southwest of the building, destroying the privacy that was a big reason we purchased this property in the first place. NIMBY is right in this case. Put these tall buildings in neighbourhoods where the space is designed for them.
To those looking for apartment rentals, go support the 100-unit proposal near Zehrs in south Fergus. Further, demand more apartments be built, instead of the 800-plus single family/townhouse style units planned on the outskirts of Fergus and Elora for the next year or so. I might add that most of these new developments are on farmland, so don't play the "build up in town to save farmland" argument. Please don't shoehorn a building that doesn't belong in our historic zone, and doesn't fit the current bylaw rules.
Mike Baker and family
Fergus
