Shops and services must stay, Mississauga residents tell apartment builders
Published March 28, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Residents want more retail rather than increased residential spaces in a plan to build five apartment buildings in Mississauga.
The proposal is to build three, 16-storey and two, six-storey apartment buildings with ground floor retail on Lakeshore Road East at 579-619 Lakeshore Rd. E., 1022 Caven St., and 1028 Caven St.
The development would replace a popular plaza in Lakeview.
It is still in the planning stages and no decision is being made yet but residents were given a chance to comment on the proposal at the Planning and Development Committee meeting on March 27.
The buildings would have 1,070 units with 86 studio units, 665 one-bedroom and 319 two-bedroom units but this is subject to change, said Glen Broll of Glen Schnarr & Associates Inc. during a presentation at the meeting.
The commercial space planned for the property is 35,700 square feet, Broll added. Currently, there is 63,000 square feet of commercial space with popular businesses such as a bakery, Shoppers Drug Mart and a dollar store. About 20,000 square feet of the property is a gym, he said.
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Several residents came forward with concerns about the loss of these retail businesses making the area less walkable.
“I don’t think the retail space should be reduced, if anything, it should be doubled,” said one resident. “Lakeview is already lacking in many commercial spaces.”
More doctors, daycares and other services are needed.
“I think it is environmentally irresponsible for the city to reduce commercial space and force all the local residents to drive,” she added.
Other residents spoke about the community hub found at the McDonalds and how they are able to walk to the plaza.
“We’d love this area to become something that is more walkable and livable,” another resident said.
Broll argued that the reduction in retail is only slight. He suggested the gym shouldn’t be considered as it is not traditional retail. The McDonalds would likely not be part of the new development because it has a drive-thru.
He added that the development would be done in phases and the current businesses could move into the new spaces.
But residents also argued the increase in residential would bring more cars to an already congested area.
“With an additional 1,000 parking spaces plus people that would be coming to the retail spaces, it’s going to create a lot more congestion,” another resident said.
This area is not near a GO Train station or any transport hub so many people rely on cars.
Other concerns included a lack affordable of units, the impact on privacy of nearby towers and the need for bike lanes.
Ward 1 Councillor Stephen Dasko said there is a mandate from the province to build more housing. It isn’t something he or council can necessarily control.
Dasko suggested residents reach out to the MPP or Premier Doug Ford with their concerns.
However, the developers will take comments under consideration and the plan could still change. Dasko said there is still more work to be done.
“It’s a work in progress,” Dasko said.
More information on the project can be found here.
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