PETITION TO THE CITY OF ST. CATHARINES

Re: Proposed Development at 447–449 Geneva Street

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and concerned community members, respectfully petition the Council of the City of St. Catharines, City Planning Staff, and all relevant approval authorities to refuse or substantially revise the proposed development at 447–449 Geneva Street.

The property is currently designated Low Density Residential and zoned R1 – Low Density Residential – Suburban Neighbourhood. The applicant has proposed redevelopment of the site for a 4-storey, 50-unit apartment building. The original planning materials sought redesignation to High Density Residential and rezoning to R4 with site-specific exceptions. After the public open house, the applicant advised that the applications would instead be revised to Medium Density Residential and R3, but also confirmed that the amendments will still include site-specific policies and regulations to permit the proposed building height and density and additional special provisions as necessary to implement the proposed site plan.

We oppose the proposal in its current and revised form for the following planning reasons:

1. Major change from existing permissions

The lands are currently Low Density Residential / R1. The proposal is not a minor adjustment; it is a substantial increase in building form, density, and site intensity on land currently occupied by 2 detached dwellings.

2. R4 to R3 does not resolve the core issues

The applicant changed the planning framework from High Density / R4 to Medium Density / R3, but confirmed that site-specific policies and regulations are still required for the proposed height, density, and additional special provisions.

3. Height remains a serious concern

The post-open-house materials confirm a height of 15.5 metres to the flat roof and 16.6 metres to the top of the parapet, with additional projection for the mechanical enclosure.

4. Landscaping concerns remain

The formal materials identified reduced landscaped area. Even with revisions, the applicant has not demonstrated that all earlier relief affecting landscaping has been removed.

5. Buffering concerns remain

The formal materials identified reduced landscape buffer widths. Although some revisions were made, the updated materials do not establish that all earlier buffering relief is no longer required.

6. Setback / side yard concerns remain

The formal submission identified a reduced north interior side yard. Cumulative departures from normal zoning standards matter when considering whether the proposal fits the site.

7. Parking concerns remain

The formal materials identified a reduced parking supply compared with the standard then applied, raising concern about spillover parking and additional pressure on surrounding streets.

8. The proposal remains too intensive for the site

Even under the revised Medium Density / R3 approach, the applicant still seeks site-specific treatment for height and density, indicating that the proposal does not fit the site without special permissions.

Petition Request

We respectfully request that the City of St. Catharines refuse the proposed Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and related approvals for 447–449 Geneva Street, or require a substantially reduced and redesigned proposal that better reflects the neighbourhood context, reduces height and massing, provides full compliance with landscaping and buffering requirements, avoids repeated site-specific relief, and demonstrates an appropriate transition to adjacent properties.