Despite his rezoning application being turned down by the city's planning committee, developer John Corsi, owner of J. Corsi Developments, said something will be built at 2216 Long Lake Rd.

“I will build, I guarantee that,” he said, following the meeting.

Corsi was seeking approval to rezone the property and seek special designation that would allow him to build an 11-storey, 60-unit condominium at that location; however, city staff came back with a recommendation of a seven-storey, 60-unit condominium, which was what was on the table for the planning committee's consideration on May 28.

Planning committee chair Dave Kilgour, Ward 7, was the only one to vote in favour of the proposal. Evelyn Dutrisac, Fabio Belli, Andre Rivest and Doug Craig all voted against it.

The property is currently designated C2 general commercial, which permits a building 15 metres in height with 30 units and a gross area of 2.1 times the lot area; however, the seven-storey condo would reach a height of 21 metres and would contain 60 units. Essentially, city staff were recommending the committee approve an option to “tailor zoning (specifically) for this building,” according to Paul Baskcomb, director of planning services.

A group of residents attended the meeting to voice their opposition to the development. Chief among their concerns is the fact the building would not fit in with the existing low-density residential neighbourhood, the height of the building would block out the sun for many many houses in the area, and the increased traffic would pose a threat to residents.

There is no left-turning lane from Long Lake Road onto Alice Street, and there is a lack of sidewalks in the area; however, as part of the stipulations in the city's recommendation, the developer would help pay for the cost of a southbound left-turn lane and the urbanization of Long Lake Road, which would include a sidewalk adjacent to the subject property.

That stipulation wasn't enough to placate residents, nor was the idea of a smaller, five-storey, 32-unit building, an amendment to the original recommendation by staff that was defeated almost as quickly as it was introduced.

Craig, in which whose ward the project falls, said the area is an old one, and it is home to 50 or 60 people who grew up there. He voted against the proposal, but said with more time, he is sure the city and the developer can come up with “the right development for this property,” something more suitable for the neighbourhood that would make all parties, including residents, happy.

A scaled-down building at five storeys and 32 units wasn't something Corsi was willing to contemplate, either. He said he needs at least 60 units for the condominium to be profitable.

“I want to build 60 units,” he said.

Belli said there seems to be a pattern developing with opposition to development in the city. He called it “repetitive,” because the same issues come up at every planning meeting.

“If we keep building road blocks to development, be prepared to pay more taxes,” he told residents. “Unless we start allowing more growth in our city, that will happen.”

Also issuing a warning to residents, Kilgour said that should the developer choose to take its case to the Ontario Municipal Board, the stipulations city staff put in place in the recommendation might be thrown out completely, and that it would essentially become a “brand-new ball game.”

Corsi said he isn't going to appeal the decision “at this time,” but he “definitely will do something about it,” and that he was going to take some time to think it over.

For a more detailed look at the proposal, visit www.greatersudbury.ca.

Posted by Arron Pickard