Jennifer Laforest, Champlain Township’s senior planner, noted “quite a few letters” arrived in her office from homeowners in the Home Avenue area of Vankleek Hill about a proposal to build a semi-detached dwelling on the empty lot between the existing houses at 94 and 86 Home Avenue.

During her report to township council during an August 14 public hearing teleconference, Laforest noted that most of the issues listed in the dozen or more letters concerned the impact of a semi-detached dwelling on traffic in the neighbourhood, impact on the local landscape, and also whether a semi-detached residence is compatible with all of the single-family homes in the area.

Right now the proposal is at the rezoning request stage. The property is classed as R1 residential, for single-family housing. Michel Murray, the property owners, wants the zoning changed to R2 residential, which would allow him to build a semi-detached dwelling.from their constituents about the proposed rezoning.

Ward 1 councillors Peter Barton and Troy Carkner both noted they have received “lots of verbal complaints” about the rezoning request. Councillor Violaine Tittley, who represents Ward 3, expressed support for the Ward One residents opposed to the rezoning. “A semi-detached dwelling does not belong on Home Avenue,” she said.

Murray told council during the teleconference that he “does not understand” the opposition to having a semi-detached dwelling in the neighbourhood. Council received both Laforest’s report along with all the letters of opposition to the rezoning request. A final report on the issue will be part of next month’s council agenda for review and either approval or disapproval.