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Many local residents no longer believe our five villages making up the Town of Pelham have the same small town feel and charm they once had only a few short years ago. What is more concerning is where things are headed for home, condominium, and apartment development buildings over the next few years.
We know more housing is needed across the Niagara Region and at the same time we need to preserve the unique small-town charm of Pelham. We also need to protect trees, wetlands, current neighbourhoods, and good quality farm land. Many of these aspects are competing for the top spot on this list of priorities. As are affordable homes, whether they are rented spaces or home ownership, the prices are outpacing living wages.
A number of Pelham residents are approaching recent development building Rezoning By-law Amendment applications with strong voices of concern and opposition regarding the 1145 Pelham Street (vacant property beside the small plaza with Lily Nails) and 105 Welland Road (Concordia Lutheran Church) subdivided property across from Circle K gas station).
The opposition does not come from the desire to build new homes in existing well-established neighbourhoods, rather the many zoning exemptions being sought by the builder developers. Neither of these two building projects are designated affordable targeted builds. So who are the priority beneficiaries of any rezoning by-law amendments? The builder developers, that’s who.
Often as local residents we do not know about what is going on just outside the 120-meter circle of homes that are required to be notified by the Town of Pelham once a rezoning application has been received. We know that as the word of mouth has spread across the homes in these two areas, as well as others in Pelham, the voices of reason have become louder and stronger.
You are encouraged to become informed and quickly lend your voice by signing these Online Petitions. For specific build details contact the Town of Pelham, Planning Department. To directly voice your concerns email the Town of Pelham, Mayor Marv Junkin and your Ward Councilors.
Help support your fellow Pelham residents who have recently been interviewed by town media by clicking on the Online Petition links below. We thank you for your support!
Reject 1145 Pelham Street Rezoning By-Law Amendment Application
For more information contact Gail Belchior
Reject 105 Welland Road Rezoning By-Law Amendment Application
For more information contact Brad Whitelaw
