I wish to express my deep dismay at the recent proposal to redevelop the Cedarwood Motel property by Chard Development and GMC Projects.
They are proposing two five-storey condos with 6,000 square feet of ground-level commercial property built upon a five-and-a-half-foot berm. These huge glass and cement structures would loom over the residential neighbourhood, resembling TrumpB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s Mexican barrier. Visit 3rd Street and James White to get a feeling for how buildings of this height actually overwhelm a neighbourhood.
In contrast, a current redevelopment on Lochside Drive, Bakerview, gives an idea of what a community-appropriate redevelopment should look like. All the buildings fit in with the character of the neighbourhood. Not only does the build provide B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·˜densificationB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ (a term beloved by town planners and developers alike) with 17 single-family houses but it also provides 10 multi-family Habitat for Humanity units that provide truly affordable housing opportunities. This developer actually used the terms B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·˜densityB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ and B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·˜affordable housingB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ as more than just marketing slogans.
If you agree that the Bakerview type of approach is the most appropriate contact SidneyB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s mayor and council.
Elaine Hicks
Sidney