A controversial condo development in Fort Erie has prompted a concerned group of residents to file an appeal that temporarily stops the plan in its tracks. They say the proposed plans for Waverly Beach ignore the environmental and historical significance of the area.

‘The Voices of Fort Erie’ citizen group argues a proposed condo and housing development endangers the wildlife at Waverly beach.

“Just the condo alone, because birds migrate at night, the estimate that 15% of birds on a migratory night will be killed by bumping into the condo.”

The Harbourtown Village Project proposal includes a 10-storey condo and over 200-unit housing subdivision and would encroach on a portion of the beachfront wooded area.

“There’s a protected area, they’re only preserving 70% of it. We feel strongly that all of it should be preserved.”

Other concerns are historical in nature. Claiming the war of 1812 was fought on that very location and protecting the ruins of the now-defunct Erie Beach amusement park.

The group is filing an appeal against the development, that will take the fight to the Ontario Municipal Board.