A single home on a Sixth Line property could become a six-storey apartment building, if a developer has its way.
Creditmills Development Group is asking the town to change the designation of 1295 Sixth Line from low density to high density, so it can demolish the house and build 70 apartment units.
The lot is just under one acre in size (.38-hectare) and backs onto White Oaks Secondary School.
It is next door to the seven-storey Castle Green apartment, the area’s only multi-residential building.
Planning consultant Melinda MacRory described the property as under-utilized, in a presentation on behalf of the developer to Oakville’s July 8 planning and development council meeting.
"The proposed development represents an opportunity for infill development on a large site, well-suited for intensification," she said.
But some residents and councillors worry that increasing density in the area will add to local traffic problems.
Ward 5 councillor Jeff Knoll is skeptical about the developer’s math when it comes to cars.
The building is proposed to have 42 one-bedroom units, 24 two-bedroom units and four three-bedroom units, for a total of 102 bedrooms.
Despite that, the developer is predicting only 25 vehicles will come and go from the property during each morning and evening rush hour period, Knoll noted.
He said an increase in traffic is the “number one concern” he is hearing from residents.
Nearby homeowner Arthur Cormier said rush hour traffic on Sixth Line is already "so thick" that residents can’t make a left turn off Sewell without creating a backup that can take 10 minutes to clear.
"That’s how bad the traffic is there now, and it’s not going to get better with this, whatsoever," he said.
Cormier said he and many of his neighbours think the proposal for a six-storey building is “totally ridiculous.”
"I’m not opposed to building something there that people are going to live in, but a six storey building? I just don’t see how that’s going to benefit that area."
Ward 4 councillor Allan Elgar took aim at the developer’s plan to provide only 51 parking spaces and 19 visitor spots for 70 units.
"I think most people might have a car there," he said. "I don’t think most people are on bicycles yet."
Michael Grabowski, who lives directly across the street from the proposed development, said parking is already a problem at the adjacent Castle Green apartments.
"If you drive down the street you will see that they are parking on the grass in front of the building because there’s not enough parking spots," said Grabowski. "It will be the same issue with this building because they’re already not planning for enough parking spots."
An online mapping photo of the building from June 2024 shows a vehicle parked on the grass out front of the apartment.
Mayor Rob Burton said his main concern was the big jump in proposed density.
"For me the big issue is, why would we change from low density to high density when the core policy in our official plan – as I understand it anyway – is that we direct density and intensification to our GO station areas and our strategic growth areas and transit corridors? And this isn’t any of those."
"I just wonder why we’re making that leap here. That just strikes me as the fundamental issue with this application."
Full details of the proposal can be found on the town’s website.
A decision on the application will be made at a future town council meeting, after town planning staff have reviewed the proposal.