JASON SETNYK
A proposed long-term redevelopment of the DEV Hotel and Conference Centre property at 1950 Montreal Road drew significant public interest and questions during a recent Planning Advisory and Hearing Committee (PAC) public information meeting.
The proposal, presented by Devcore Group, seeks an Official Plan Amendment to create a secondary plan framework for the approximately 75-acre property.
Planning staff emphasized that no decision was being made at the meeting and that the application remains under review. Planner Praisy Hunter said the purpose of the meeting was to present the application and gather public feedback before staff prepare a recommendation report for PAC and ultimately Council.
The proposed redevelopment would transform the former NAV Centre lands into a mixed-use community featuring low-rise and high-rise residential buildings, commercial areas, employment and institutional uses, and waterfront recreation space. According to the staff report, the conceptual proposal includes approximately 620 rowhouse units and 3,200 apartment units, along with employment and institutional facilities.
A vibrant, innovative, and sustainable community”
Devcore Director of Development Celeste Cordonnier described the project as a long-term vision expected to unfold over approximately 15 years. She said the intention is to create “a vibrant, innovative, and sustainable community within this urban boundary of Cornwall.”
Cordonnier stressed that the proposal remains conceptual and could evolve through the planning process. “It might change following comments and review from technical planning staff and other agencies,” she emphasized. Some of the figures have already changed since the last open house.
Architect Anna Kourkounakis explained that the development would transition in height from low-rise buildings near existing homes to taller towers closer to the centre and south end of the property. “On the north side, we’re looking at a one-storey to max three-storey height to create that buffer with the adjacent neighbours,” she said. “As you move closer to the DEV Centre, that’s where we start increasing the height.”
The tallest buildings proposed in the conceptual plan would range from 10 to 26 storeys. Kourkounakis said the highest density was intentionally placed away from nearby low-density neighbourhoods.
Focus on waterfront
A major focus of the presentation involved the proposed waterfront component south of Montreal Road.
Kourkounakis said the project team hopes to create recreational amenities and improve pedestrian and cycling access along the waterfront corridor. “Not every site has a waterfront property,” she said. “We’d love to work with the city in proposing recreational amenities along the waterfront.”
Traffic, infrastructure capacity, wastewater treatment plant impacts, and neighbourhood compatibility emerged as recurring themes in written and verbal public comments. Several residents questioned whether local roads, schools, hospitals, fire services, and municipal infrastructure could support thousands of additional residents.
Others expressed concern about traffic increases along Concorde Avenue, Montreal Road, and nearby residential streets, particularly during construction phases.
One resident questioned the proposed access points and connectivity plan, seeking clarification about how vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users would move through the site. Others raised concerns about construction traffic potentially using residential areas and pathways near Menard Park, where children frequently walk.
Written submissions included concerns regarding air quality and odours associated with the adjacent wastewater treatment plant.
One resident described the project as a “city-within-a-city” and questioned whether the scale and density were compatible with the surrounding low-density neighbourhood.
Another citizen objected to the possibility of construction traffic near a pedestrian pathway used by children. She wrote that introducing heavy construction vehicles into the area created “a clear and unacceptable risk.” Planning staff acknowledged the concerns and confirmed that public comments would be incorporated into future reviews.
Councillor Carilyne Hébert asked whether the projected infrastructure and service costs associated with the full buildout of the project could be compared against anticipated tax revenue and development charge income. While Councillor Dean Hollingsworth raised concerns about possible Ontario Land Tribunal appeals and asked how long the process could delay the project if council’s future decision is challenged. Ryan Windle, Development and Building Services Director, suggested that could be a lengthy process.
The PAC did not debate or vote on the proposal, instead receiving the report for information and directing staff to continue reviewing the application and public feedback before returning with recommendations at a future meeting.
L’article Residents question impact of massive Devcore development proposal est apparu en premier sur Cornwall Seaway News.
