"Monstrosity" is what one resident calls the buildings being proposed next to her waterfront condo on Water Street.
The proposal, submitted to the city on March 5 this year, is for a 28-storey hotel, 37-storey condominium building and shared space featuring commercial uses.
"The thing that disturbs me is that the skyline will change," said Robin Thomas, talking about the land on 130 Water St. N., next to where she lives on 150 Water St. N., which she opined should have been townhouses that fit in with the surrounding style. "We have a historical town here and when people come up the river, they're going to see these monstrosities that are going up here."
According to the application documents (available online), the site shows that the buildings will be on the water's edge with riverside access. As well, An official plan amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment are required for the development. The first will establish site-specific policies to permit an increase in floor space index and height. The second will add various site-specific regulations. Among the documents submitted by the developer outlining permission from the Grand River Conservation Authority to make the application on lands owned by the non-profit.
In addition, Thomas said, "they're saying it's going to help infrastructure, but it's going to make our taxes go up. it's going to take away from the whole beautification of our city. The people in our building are definitely going to be in the shade and have no view going up river."
Thomas said she knew the adjacent land would be developed when she had bought her place next to it.
"But I thought it would be around the same size as our building," she added. "We thought it would be in line with the flavour of the mill, not the modern Jetsons look they're doing."
Thomas said she didn't see anything positive coming thing out of the development.
"It's not going to create affordable housing; it's just going to be eyesores," she said.
Brian Kennedy, executive director, Downtown Cambridge Business Improvement Area (BIA) came up with plenty of favourable aspects to the project.
"(The BIA board) had a chance to meet with Pearle Hospitality and we're extremely supportive of their proposal for the hotel and residences in our downtown core area," he said. "Pearle Hospitality has already made such a mark on the downtown with their restaurant and their venues for weddings. Their work is tremendous and has already made such a difference downtown. With the new residential building and hotel, that allows more people to live downtown, which supports our local economy and businesses downtown. People live, eat, play in the core areas, which is tremendous benefit to the downtown core area."
He acknowledged that some people may have concerns around the heights and the traffic increase to downtown Cambridge, but Kennedy said based on the plans the BIA has seen, it's very supportive of the project.
"It seems well thought out," he said. "Pearle Hospitality to this point has done tremendous work. We've seen it first hand in our area and based on other areas."
Thomas' neighbour also had concerns.
"To me, personally, what they've proposed and planned, really tall and really big, doesn't fit in with what Galt looks like right now and what it is as a community," said Jennifer Clarke.
An urban design brief report states, "The proposed building’s architecture has been designed as an elegant contemporary addition to the Downtown Galt skyline. The design strives for clean lines without being overly ornate to avoid competition with or replication of Galt’s examples of heritage architecture."
Clarke said she also had concerns about the entrance from the river detracting from the wildlife habitat in that area and how an increase in traffic coming into Galt will affect the city's roads.
Ward councillor Jan Liggett said she was also unhappy about the proposed building height and the potential traffic problems that will ensue from the project.
Other than that, she said, she had received mixed reactions from ward residents.
"Some people are just looking at the fact that it's a convention centre/hotel/apartments, which is a great project possibility," Liggett said. "Others are horrified at the height and the fact that the building is right up to the sidewalk."
Thomas said she was feeling resigned about the situation and that nothing could be done to stop the development.
Clarke agreed.
"I don't think it's going to stop the mill from building it," she said. "I think the city does need to grow. It is going to happen.
Clarke said the least she and her neighbours could do was to voice their opinions about the development and how it can be made more user-friendly.
Her suggestion would be to, "Move the entrance of the buildings to the road side, to keep vehicles away from the wildlife that lives in the area. Keep the new buildings more in line with what is already here height wise. We have an old European feel to the area, this doesn’t fit in. And work with the city on ways to calm the traffic down for pedestrians."
Liggett said nothing had been finalized yet and she expected the application will go back to the developer for some changes that may potentially come forth at the June 22 public meeting.
Aaron Ciancone, president of Pearle Hospitality, did not return a request for comment.
