There are some disturbing trends taking place in our beautiful little town that threaten to blemish its landscape for many generations to come.
As anyone can see, condos are being built at a frantic pace, disturbingly many without the requirement of providing vehicle parking on-site and all with our current council’s blessing. In their infinite wisdom, planning officials have stated there is ample parking on our streets in surrounding neighbourhoods. Try finding a parking space in our residential area three and four blocks south of Beacon Avenue between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.
The latest development on the horizon is a proposed four-storey mixed-use development consisting of a ground floor commercial space and three upper floors containing 10 multi-family dwelling units with only eight parking spaces. The current residential density for C1 zoning is four units. The official community plan allows six units.
Take the time to visit this development site on Third Street, two blocks south of Beacon and you will find a traditional three-storey building neighbourhood. In a different setting this new structure may be appealing. However at 9716 Third Street, building a four-storey modern box will stick out like a sore thumb. I wonder if council has taken the time to check out this site.
Our Sidney by the Sea has the potential to be transformed into a unique destination to live in or visit.
Unfortunately it appears council’s agenda for high density in Sidney does not include the vision for this transformation.
I question why developers are being given precedence above taxpaying residents.
Darryl Sutherland, Sidney
