Sustainable community not for everyone

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It has become a common phrase often cited by urbanists and environmentalists. Sustainable cities, high density, walkable communities that promote green business and initiatives.

But when the high density movement creeps into your backyard, the idea of a sustainable community can lose it’s appeal.

At a corner lot on Leland Avenue just a stones throw from McMaster University, 2 vacant buildings now occupy the land where developers hope to build a 5 storey, 124 unit apartment building to house McMaster students.

City planners support the project but the local neighbourhood association and local councillor are opposed.

“My argument is that the right place for an apartment complex for students is on Main Street west and not in the sensitive inner neighbourhoods of Ainslee Wood.” said Hamilton Councillor Aidan Johnson.

“Additional noise, parking problems, traffic problems. It’s just overcrowding a neighbourhood which always used to be a nice single family home neighbourhood.” said Mary Kiss, from the Ainslee Wood Neighbourhood Association

But not everybody is opposed to the apartment complex. In fact we spoke to a woman who lives right across the street who thinks an apartment building might actually improve the community.

“People just park illegally there and there is drug paraphernalia there, they set off firecrackers. So I think it’s really in need of development. I would rather have the increased density than these houses that have been patched up to serve about ten students.” said Jean Wessel.

The motion has been tabled until February to give neighbours, city representatives and the builder time to meet in hopes of resolving some of the neighbourhood concerns.