Application for Residential Zone Change Causes Concerns

Monday, 23 November 2015 05:56

Residents in the Falcon Drive area are voicing their concerns about a housing project in their backyard.

WOODSTOCK - The application for a zone change was one of the hottest topics at the latest Woodstock City Council meeting

Many residents who live on Falcon Drive in the city's northeast end attended to oppose a project they say would directly affect their neighbourhood. One of the residents in attendance, Catherine Payne, explains what the zone change includes. "We have property behind our house that was originally zoned as an R1 (Residential Zone) when we purchased it, and an application came forward that they wanted to change it to a R3 (Special Residential Zone) zoning to put a 20 townhouse condominium complex behind."

Payne explains her concerns for having this project approved. "We do still feel that it is very close to our property line. I think the other concern is they are not really stipulating whether it is going to be a condominium complex or a townhouse complex. Those are very different because they are not saying either or anybody can do whatever they want with their property, and we are worrying about the value of our own property." To avoid sending this issue to the Ontario Municipal Board it was approved, but thanks to Councillor Deb Tait a review will be conducted of the approved site plan application.

Payne feels this will negatively impact the neighbourhood. "A concern is that if they are not selling them then they all of a sudden become rental properties. My husband and I decided to purchase our home in Woodstock - all of a sudden we are going to have 20 neighbours in the background with approximately 3-4 people in each family. It just changes the neighbourhood, so I am just concerned about that." The complex will include nearly 90 parking spots and access is planned to be provided off of Falcon Drive.

The complex would have a noise wall placed along Devonshire Avenue, and Payne added this will infringe on her property as there is 7.5 metres requirement from the building to the property line.