Residents of Deep River seek ministry examination of rezoning bylaw, enabling construction of denser housing
In the picturesque town of Deep River, Ontario, a proposed six-unit multi-residential building on Avon Road has sparked controversy among residents.
The development, aimed at providing housing for hospital staff due to the expansion of the Deep River and District Hospital, was initially proposed as a nine-unit stacked row house development. However, at a meeting on May 7, Deep River's town council approved rezoning the property for multi-residential use.
Neil Milton of Bygda Builders is the builder for the proposed development, with each unit featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The plans also include nine parking spots, six of which will be underground. Two units will be fully accessible and barrier-free, catering to those seeking barrier-free housing.
However, residents have expressed concerns about the development. These include a lack of traffic and safety impact studies, water drainage issues, the size and compatibility of the development with the neighbourhood, and frustrations about the communication and handling of the process by the town.
Councillor Dumoulin stated that the public feels estranged from the development process. He also noted that there is no appeal mechanism for residents under the province's recently amended Planning Act. Instead, residents found their options for having their concerns heard limited throughout the process.
On June 3, a request for a review of the development decision was sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The minister's decision to consider such requests is at their discretion. However, the ministry stated that it serves as the approval authority for the Renfrew County Official Plan but is not involved in the day-to-day administration of local development approvals in Deep River.
Residents can submit complaints to the Ontario Ombudsman if they feel their concerns have not been adequately addressed. The ministry's response to the review request was received on July 21.
The development is intended to attract younger people moving to Deep River and those seeking barrier-free housing. With the expansion of the Deep River and District Hospital, the need for affordable and accessible housing for hospital staff is increasingly important.
As the development process continues, residents and town officials will work together to address the concerns and ensure a positive outcome for the community.
- The proposed six-unit multi-residential building in Deep River, Ontario, is a part of the increasing need for affordable and accessible housing, particularly for hospital staff, due to the expansion of the Deep River and District Hospital.
- Despite its aim to provide housing for hospital staff, the development has sparked controversy among residents, with concerns about traffic and safety impact studies, water drainage issues, the size and compatibility of the development with the neighborhood, and the communication process by the town.
- In response to the concerns, Councillor Dumoulin highlighted that the public feels estranged from the development process, and noted the lack of an appeal mechanism for residents under the province's recently amended Planning Act.
- On June 3, a request for a review of the development decision was sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with the ministry serving as the approval authority for the Renfrew County Official Plan but not involved in the day-to-day administration of local development approvals in Deep River.
- As the development process continues, the residents and town officials will collaborate to address the concerns, ensuring a positive outcome for the community, considering factors such as real-estate demand from younger people moving to Deep River and the entertainment, sports, politics, weather, business, finance, and investing implications that come with the development.
