Residents demand action in Lowertown: no exceptions to converting empty lots to parking lots in neighbourhoods
By John Chenier
Are some companies above the (by-)law? After being caught out having its construction trailers illegally parked, Claridge is seeking a change to the bylaws. The trailers in question, which have been illegally in place since March, are sitting in a vacant lot in contravention of two bylaws: one which prohibits the use of the lot for parking, as the lot is zoned for residential use only, and another which requires trailers such as these to be parked on the worksite of the building under construction.
The demolition of houses in Lowertown has resulted in numerous empty lots. City by-laws exist to prevent the use of these anywhere in the city as unauthorized, unkempt commercial parking facilities.
After receiving complaints from local residents, the city informed Claridge that the trailers had to be removed by the end of June. When the trailers were still there in July, the Lowertown Community Association (LCA) added its voice to those of the local residents objecting to their presence and insisting the current by-laws be respected and enforced.
Residents of this community experience construction traffic on their small street for a controversial mid-rise condo they fought hard to stop. Thirty people lost their homes and heritage homes were demolished. The threat of rezoning for trailer parking lot use now adds to the noise and activity of the construction site.
Instead of compliance, the owner of the illegal, non-conforming lot, Robertson Sungard c/o1189704 Ontario Inc and Claridge Developments are seeking a temporary re-zoning bylaw for the property. Claridge is also seeking an additional revision to another bylaw, which would allow its construction trailers to park away from the worksite.
The Planning Committee of council is to consider the applications on October 14th. In the interim, the six trailers remain on the lot illegally. The councillor for the ward, Mathieu Fleury, is unable to act on the file as he has a declared conflict of interest with all Claridge developments. The LCA will oppose the rezoning request.