Stop the Accusations of Racism and look at the REAL issue…
The rezoning from residential to religious is not about religion it’s about compatibility with the immediate surrounding area. It is not appropriate for ANYTHING but residential (including old-age home). Residents in this community bought properties in this area based on the zoning that was in PLACE. 410 Clair Road was zoned RESIDENTIAL and now that these homeowners have moved into their homes the City is proposing to pull the rug out and change the zoning to religious institution. On top of that, only residents 120 metres from the property were notified.
The reason there was not the uproar regarding the Catholic Church rezoning on Poppy Drive is because it lies next to a high school and a fire hall. The Salvation Army Church on Gordon is also not surrounded by residential but by soon to be commercial properties. Both are appropriate places for a church and are compatible with their surroundings. The proposed temple is flanked on three sides by houses that were zoned residential from the beginning as this property was.
The Sikh temple in Kitchener is outside city boundaries and therefore not surrounded by existing residential. The Brantford temple is flanked by a Gymnastics Academy and a Greek hall. Both are
not next to residential properties however there may be residential across the street which provides a natural buffer and is therefore suitable.
Traffic is also an issue as there is bound to be spill over of cars parked on neighbouring streets during large gatherings. Also, there is a swath of land next to the temple that is now in the rezoning. The only reason I can see that this is also included is for future expansion of the temple. They will build something for 400 people today and then there is lots of room for expansion in the future.
This is not the right place for this temple. It is not an appropriate use for this property. It belongs somewhere around other “institutional” zoning. There is a property of the same size and price across the street on Clair that would be more suitable for this size and design and would not be next to a large subdivision.
The vast majority of people in this area feel the same way as evidenced by the out-pouring of comments at the first public meeting. Are these meetings held just to appease the people? Is anyone in our City council REALLY listening? PP
