Community members are raising concerns ahead of a January public hearing. Pictured: Development proposal. Photo Credit: NPG Planning Solutions.
To meet the needs of a growing community, preparations are underway to construct new high-rise buildings in the City of Welland.
Earlier in 2024, The Development Squad, working with NPG Planning Solutions, proposed that 3.88 hectares of land, on Niagara Street and Aqueduct Street properties, be utilized to build 1,196 new units. The units were to be housed in three 25-storey towers, one 12-storey tower and two four-storey stacked townhouses.
NPG completed a revised plan in the fall, along with zoning bylaw amendments for the proposal on eight properties, which were purchased on Jan. 31, 2023. The updated plan combines 650, 656, 664, 670 and 678, Niagara St., as well as 418, 424, and 430 Aqueduct St., into one property.
Objections were raised by many residents regarding the significant height of the proposed structures, specifically that they would be inconsistent with the official plan of the City of Welland, which specifies eight-storey limits, as well as other logistical and safety concerns.
New plans were drafted. A new NPG document demonstrated significant alterations, including two 25-storey towers sharing a base and being reduced to sixteen and eight storeys, respectively, while the other 25-storey tower was reduced to 16 storeys and would stand alone. Simultaneously, the 12-storey building would be reduced to 10 storeys, while the plans for the two four-storey stacked townhouses, which would include underground parking, would not be altered.
This decreased number of storeys would mean a loss of 317 units (down to a total of 879), and 203 parking spots (down to a total of 723).
Despite the changes advanced by the NPG, however, Welland residents Jim Fazzari, Neil Freeman, and Gary Talosi say that those who live in the affected community believe more alterations are needed, both to resolve practical issues that they believe remain, as well as to bring the plans under total compliance with the official plan for the City of Welland.
The three community members composed an email statement, in which they cited the potential for a sharp increase in traffic on Niagara Street, as well as at the Niagara Street-Woodland Road intersection, in addition to movement in and out of the site. Water-sewer infrastructure over-capacity, limited parking options, and environmental challenges (e.g. preservation of endangered species) were also listed as pertinent issues.
Approximately twenty-five residents, including Fazarri, Freeman, and Talosi, attended an open house held at City Hall before Christmas, where details about the new plans were shared by city staff and NPG. One-on-one discussion and informational boards were components of the event. The Development Squad, however, was not represented at the meeting.
While the three men noted progress, particularly concerning the decreasing total size of the structures, there are several key matters that they believe residents would still like to see addressed. These include greater on-site parking, enhanced efforts to emphasize privacy for single-family homes on the nearby Gadsby Avenue and Hilda Street, as well as a 50-metre buffer zone for endangered species, rather than the proposed 30-metre buffer zone.
There is also a keen interest in learning more about the owners of the Development Squad, with whom residents have not been able to engage extensively as of yet.
It has been confirmed by a Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery document that Development Squad GP Inc. was incorporated by Ranjit Randhawa of Brampton on Jan. 12, 2023. Brampton’s Raj Humari Verma joined the organization on Jan. 25, 2023. No other names are listed on this document.
The Welland Council heard during a meeting earlier in the year that the professions of the company’s principals include, but are not limited to, a project manager, a civil engineer, a land developer, and a financial person.
On Jan. 28, 2025, the revised proposal will be the subject of a statutory public hearing in accordance with the Planning Act, during a meeting of City Council.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
