A denied application to add two storeys to an existing four-storey apartment complex at the corner of Main and Wellington streets in downtown Galt has landed the City of Cambridge a date with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
The owner of River Park Village Corp. is appealing the April decision that asked for changes to the official plan and zoning bylaw amendments to add the additional floors to the apartment building to create 40 additional units. The building currently contains 78 apartments.
Staff had recommended approving the application but council denied the request citing neighbourhood concerns over the height of the building, lack of affordable units and the fact no additional parking or amenity space were part of the plan.
The application was short 35 parking spots for the new units as required by zoning, adding to a previous deficit for parking on the property.
In the applicant’s parking justification report, it proposed 36 secure bicycle parking spaces, parking spaces for rent “unbundled” from the units, a plan to provide information about transit routes in the lobby and cash-in-lieu to the city to expand parking options elsewhere.
“I don’t think this is the best thing for our community or our downtown,” Coun. Jan Liggett said before asking for support from fellow councillors to turn down the application last April.
“We already have parking problems downtown…and I think by adding to this we’re just going to be creating a parking nightmare,” agreed Coun. Shannon Adshade, reminding council of the five-storey limit on building heights in the core at the time.
“I don’t believe this development is appropriate,” added Coun. Mike Devine. “It’s going to cause chaos and havoc.”
Notice of the appeal was received by the OLT on Jan. 13.
A date for a hearing has been set for March 21 at 10 a.m.
