A proposed plan to build 26 new homes at the site of the former Our Lady of Lourdes school near Windsor's Pillette Village isn't sitting well with residents in the neighbourhood.
Azar Holdings Ltd. is looking to build 10 new single-detached homes and 8 semi-detached homes creating a further 16 housing units in the area of Franklin St., Rossini Blvd. and Tourangeau Rd.
Mary Patrick has lived on Tourangeau Rd. for the last 15 years and says the new development will be a drastic change for the neighbourhood.
"They're basically telling us that, 'You know what — this is what we get,'" says Patrick. "It's not fair. We pay taxes."
The main concerns shared by Patrick and many of the residents include increased traffic, parking availability and sewer system strain.
"There's no parking on Franklin St. at all. There's only one side on Rossini Blvd. and there's only one side on Tourangeau Rd. and already, the residents — we fill that street," says Patrick.
Drawings included in a report to a City of Windsor committee regarding a planned housing development near the Pillette Village area. (Photo courtesy City of Windsor)
The city's Planning, Heritage and Economic Development Standing Committee recently approved the plan with a slight tweak to ensure the single homes are built with a minimum frontage of a 12 m (40 ft).
Patrick thinks there are too many homes being jammed into a small area.
"They're trying to put two homes on one lot that one single dwelling is on right now," says Patrick.
The approved plan from the developer heading to council outlines a frontage of 12.6 m (41 ft) for the single-detached homes and a frontage of 16.8 m (55 ft) for the semi-detached homes — both sizes larger than the minimum requirement.
Patrick feels the developer should re-think adding the semi-detached homes as part of the project.
"If he wants to be reasonable and build single-dwelling homes, we're more than willing to accept that, but those semi-detached — no we're not willing."
The development still needs council approval and the city needs to be satisfied the additional homes won't add undue stress to the sewer system in the area.