Residents oppose 12-storey rental apartment buildings on a church property in Mississauga

A plan for two 12-storey apartment buildings with affordable housing on a church property in Mississauga came up against opposition recently.

The proposal for 4094 Tomken Rd. and 924 Rathburn Rd. E., currently home to Westminster United Church and a seven-storey apartment building, is to add two 12-storey apartment buildings to the property at Tomken Road and Rathburn Road.

The project first came to a community meeting in March, and more recently to the Planning and Development Committee on June 12. It is still in the early stages and no decision is being made yet.

The two apartment buildings would bring 241 residential units with 78 units affordable, said Carly Forrester with Kindred Works who is working on the application on behalf of the United Church.

The apartment units will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.

The affordable units would be about $1,300 for a studio apartment to around $2,000 for a three-bedroom unit, said Forrester.

There would be 241 parking spaces and 77 parking spaces for the church would remain. There would be a below-grade parking garage.

There are also plans for a community garden and to make the buildings environmentally friendly.

The property is currently home to Westminster United Church and a seven-storey apartment building.

Many councillors liked the development.

“Your project actually does sound affordable,” said Ward 6 Councillor Joe Horneck. “I wish there were more projects like yours.”

But area residents expressed strong opposition to the project at the June 12 meeting.

The development would have a “devastating impact on residents’ style of living,” said resident and architect Wojtek Holownia.

He said the architectural and urban planning is “lousy.” The plan misses an opportunity to make the property pedestrian friendly and add commercial space.

Holownia said the development needs a “complete redesign” and should only be six or seven storeys in this neighbourhood.

There are mostly low-rise and single-family homes in the community, said Athina Tagidou, speaking on behalf of Applewood Heights and Hills Residents’ Association.

Tagidou said the community doesn’t support the development as it is now.

“The community’s character would begin to alter — including an increase in population and safety concerns,” said Tagidou.

She also noted the loss of privacy and sunshine due to the size of the buildings. The construction would be disruptive and unsafe for the local daycare, she added.

Many residents opposed the size of the buildings, stating there are no other buildings this size in the community.

“My property will be completely covered in shadow,” said resident Eugene J. Gierczak.

But Ward 5 Councillor Carolyn Parrish said these types of concerns often come forward and the applicants shouldn’t be discouraged.

“People don’t like change,” Parrish said.

She disagreed with comments that the building design is lousy.

“I think the architecture is quite funky looking,” Parrish added.

Ward 3 Councillor Chris Fonseca hoped the project could be revised to address community concerns, particularly with the size of the buildings, but keep the same number of units.

For more information on the project, see the report here.