Condo plan gets approval
Seven-storey building to replace vacant Tim Hortons
October 21, 2009
Emma Reilly
The Hamilton Spectator
A city committee has given the go-ahead to a proposed condo on the corner of Aberdeen Avenue and Dundurn Street South.
The economic development and planning committee approved plans for the seven-storey, 32-unit building on the site of a vacant Tim Hortons yesterday.
The project will have to get final approval from council before the developer, Sergio Manchia, can break ground.
The plans for the building call for several green features, including solar panels, efficient appliances, bicycle parking spaces and a car-sharing program.
Manchia scaled back his original plan for a 42-unit building after sitting down with area residents at a public meeting Sept. 14.
But many area residents still weren't happy to learn that a condo could be moving into their neighbourhood. Many raised concerns that the condo will block the view from an adjacent apartment building and boost traffic in what they say is an already congested area.
Denise Minardi, who lives one block east of the site, said she's worried the building will attract commuters because of its proximity to the 403.
If the condo is approved at council, the city has stipulated that cars could only turn right onto Aberdeen instead of crossing the eastbound lanes to turn left.
That makes Minardi worry that the cars will circle through her neighbourhood to get out to the highway.
"The sense I get is that this is a fait accompli and there hasn't been enough public consultation," she said.
Some residents expressed support for the condo, including neighbourhood resident and former regional chairman Terry Cooke.
"If it remains commercial, it's going to be a gas station or a fast food place," he said. "This (condo) is the kind of development that we have to get behind."
ereilly@thespec.com
905-526-2452
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Hard to tell if there's ground floor retail there or not. Hopefully there is, especially for that corner.
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