The planned redevelopment of a low-rise apartment building in Oakville leaves existing tenants feeling uncertain about their future, with concerns over affordable housing options and the impact on the local community.
Longtime residents, many of whom have lived in the area for years, only recently learned the building is to be demolished and redeveloped by a local developer. Some tenants expressed frustration over the lack of notice about the plans, saying they feel pushed out without adequate support.
The Old Apartment Building
Residents who have lived here for many years don’t want to move away from their community, worrying they won’t be able to afford to stay in the area if the building is redeveloped. The property is at 50 Speers Road, Oakville Ontario.
Many residents share these concerns, with some worried that the redevelopment could lead to further displacement of low-income families and individuals in the area. Oakville has been grappling with a shortage of affordable housing options for years, and the redevelopment exacerbates that problem.
The existing apartment building is seven-storeys, five floors lower than the current urban planning maximum of twelve storeys. The proposed redevelopment project, however, pushes past that limit to 27 storeys. This significant increase in height raised concerns among local residents, who worry about the new development dwarfing surrounding buildings and negatively impacting the area’s character.
Local zoning regulations allow for a maximum height of 12 storeys, so the proposed development would be more than double the permitted height. Some residents are concerned that this could set a precedent for future developments in the area and lead to a loss of community character and charm. Others worry that the new development could negatively impact property values, parking, traffic, and the overall livability of the area.
The developer says they are committed to working with tenants to find alternative housing solutions and minimize the impact on the community. They also emphasized that the redevelopment will bring much-needed updates to the building and create additional housing options in the area.
The province has been pushing for higher-density housing.
While the developer’s intentions appear positive, tenants are concerned about the impact of the redevelopment on themselves and the community. Some worry that the influx of new residents could lead to increased traffic and congestion, which is already a problem. Others are concerned about the loss of community that could come with the demolition of the building.
Proposed Redevelopment
More than just bricks and mortar, the apartment building is a community of people who have lived here for years, with relationships and support systems.
As Oakville continues to grow and develop, the issue of affordable housing becomes increasingly urgent. Many residents are calling for government action to address the issue, including the creation of more affordable housing options and stronger tenant protections.
As the planned redevelopment of the building moves forward, it remains to be seen what the future holds for tenants and the broader community. One thing is clear: the issue of affordable housing in Oakville cannot be ignored. Residents, developers, and government officials will need to work together to find solutions and ensure that everyone in the community has a place to call home.
The developer says the new structure will be a mid-range rental building, not a luxury building. They also said existing tenants would have an opportunity to return to the new building, but there is no guarantee the rent would be the same. That would be an understatement, because other rentals in the area are priced far above what these tenants pay now.
The Record has an interesting look at the plan for the 27-storey apartment building and how existing tenants and councillors feel about it.
The Record also noted “Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll said Oakville needs more affordable housing and questioned whether this project would replace affordable housing units with units priced far above market.”
Key Takeaways
- Residents are worried about their future housing options as they may not be able to afford to stay in the area if the apartment building is redeveloped.
- Tenants are concerned about the lack of affordable housing options in Oakville and the impact that the redevelopment could have on the community.
- Some residents have expressed frustration that they were not given more notice about the redevelopment plans, and many feel they are being pushed out without support.
- The developer stated they are committed to working with residents to find alternative housing solutions and minimize the impact on the community.
- The story highlights the broader issue of affordable housing in Oakville and the need for more affordable options to be made available for residents in the area.
- The province helped instigate this problem by pushing for higher-density housing in the area without doing anything about affordable housing.
