HILLSBURGH – Residents remain concerned about the density of a controversial mixed-use development and the impact it could have on Trafalgar Road.
About 50 residents attended a broadcast public meeting in person at the Hillsburgh Community Centre Thursday evening to share their questions and concerns about a 933-unit development proposed by Blackthorn Development Corporation, on behalf of Beachcroft Investments Inc. (Ballantry Homes) for 63 and 63A Trafalgar Road in Hillsburgh.
While a report said the developer downsized its to 799-units after residents and council members shared several concerns during a public meeting last spring, the town's planning consultant Angela Sciberras clarified during a previous council meeting that the total estimate is closer to 933 units with the addition of low-rise senior housing and apartments.
The subdivision's draft plan proposes a density of 21.8 units per gross hectare once the senior's housing development is completed which would meet and exceed the county's density target for newly developing subdivisions.
This frustrated residents like Karen DeRooy who said she felt like some of the resident's concerns were ignored even as others were addressed and asked council to say no to the application and prioritize conducting a transportation study instead.
Other residents advocated for more emphasis on green space, traffic information and ensuring the existing infrastructure can support both existing and future residents equally.
"They heard what we said regarding senior's housing (at the previous public meeting) put that in the revision and then increased the density...make it make sense," said DeRooy, whose delegation was followed by applause from the audience. "What does low-rise senior housing even mean?"
Staff said the senior housing proposal includes two apartments and almost 200 low-rise units.
DeRooy also said she didn't like the developer's proposal to leave two streets open for potential expansion by other developers rather than close them and make it a cul de sac.
When asked if the development's construction is anticipated to impact residents who live in the area, Maurizio Rogato, the principal of Blackthorn said construction always has some impact but clarified there will be a "robust" construction plan to help control the impact of things like dust.
Coun. Cathy Aylard wanted to know what the minimum density allowed is, what thought process and methodology were behind the changes in density and how guest parking would be addressed in the senior housing block.
"Our job was obviously to meet the minimum (density) and generally try to stay within the minimum if we could," said Rogato, during the meeting. "(But) I think for me it's more about what type of housing is being provided (and) are they being provided for all types of people."
The other proposed updates include modifications to the road network design, relocating the future water tower and a park block adjacent to the public school, and other minor adjustments.
Sciberras previously said she can't see construction starting until 2025 as it's dependent on the town's wastewater construction, ZBA, county and provincial approval.
Over 50 residents attended the applicant's previous public meeting in June 2023 to share their concerns about housing density, parking, infrastructure and green spaces.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
