A proposed hotel and mixed-use development in Amherstburg generated significant opposition during a statutory public meeting Monday, with nearby residents raising concerns about height, density, traffic, parking, privacy and noise. The application from Great Lakes Properties would allow a five-storey hotel with up to 100 rooms and three four-storey mixed-use buildings containing residential units and commercial space at the northwest corner of Simcoe Street and Meloche Road. Residents from the Meadowview Estates subdivision, whose homes back onto the proposed development, dominated the nearly two-hour discussion. Cheryl Dunn Greer said many homeowners feel betrayed after purchasing properties under the understanding the area was designated for low-density residential development. “This is a drastic change and will forever change the flavour of this largely senior community,” Dunn Greer said. “By no means does it respect the character of the existing neighbourhood where neighbours still sit on their porches and still go visit up and down the street.” James Lesperance said his primary concern is density. “This site plan, I oppose increasing the density of it. That’s my biggest thing is increasing the density. Keep it low density commercial,” said Lesperance. Carl Wilson questioned the traffic study, saying it failed to examine potential cut-through traffic along Richmond Street and Meadowview Avenue. “They’re going to take Richmond Street, and then Meadowview and go into that development the back way,” Wilson said. “Along Richmond Street there are two parks. So now you have a safety issue with kids. The increased traffic and kids using these parks.” Great Lakes Properties was pressed by council whether a hotel is actually planned for the site. Co-developer Jason LaFromboise said the intent remains to attract a hotel operator but zoning approvals must come first. “If we didn’t take this step first and we pursued a hotel owner first that wanted to develop a property in this town, if we have to go through all of this process to get the property developed, we would lose that buyer to build a hotel,” said LaFromboise. “It is our intention to pursue a hotel developer to build in this town.” Several councillors expressed concern about exactly what the zoning could permit if approved. Coun. Peter Courtney noted the reaction may have been different if the project weren’t backing onto an established neighbourhood. “This seems very intense, very intense. I look at the property just to the east of it, that farm field, still across from the Libro Centre, there probably wouldn’t be too many people in here because it’s just not in their backyard,” Courtney said. Council unanimously voted to receive the public feedback and direct staff to prepare a future report. Town staff said the proposal will require further review, including updated technical studies, quarry-related concerns and comments raised by residents before it returns to council for consideration.
