Greg Ryan, 60, wonders what residents are going to do when the landlord knocks down the Charlottetown apartment building he lives in.
City council recently unanimously approved a request from Weymouth Properties Ltd. (Quentin Bevan) to demolish the existing structures at 91 King St., 93 King St., 94-98 Dorchester St., and 100-102 Dorchester St., consolidate the properties and construct a 43-unit apartment building.
The plan is to build a five-storey building. None of the properties are designated heritage resources.
Ryan said he’s more worried for the 70-year-old woman he boards with.
“She’s been here for 13 years; she’s a senior; she’s 70 years old. Her only option would be to go to a senior citizens’ home and, given the . . . waiting list, good luck with that, so where do residents go?’’ Ryan, who lives at 100-102 Dorchester St., told The Guardian.
“I know the owners of this property probably don’t have something available for what she would need, given the housing crisis in Charlottetown at the moment.’’
The woman, who didn’t want her name published, said her rent went from $913 to $925 this year, heat included, and wonders where she’ll get a new place for that price on her fixed income.
Provincial tax assessments indicate that there are 21 units in the four properties.
Coun. Greg Rivard, chairman of the city’s planning and heritage committees, said this project is in its very early stages and there is still a lot of work that needs to be completed.
“The applicant will have to go through the design review approval process as well as providing the public benefit to allow for the fifth storey and the signing of a development agreement,’’ Rivard said.
The properties are located in what the city refers to as a downtown mixed-use zone (DMUN). The height restriction in a DMUN is 39.4 feet so the applicant will have to apply for two variances.
Rivard said a portion of the project will include affordable housing.
“There are a number of public benefits permitted which include provisions for affordable housing, investment in active transportation or public transit or a provision of subsidized commercial space for arts and other cultural uses to name a few,’’ Rivard said.
And, parking in the downtown is a challenge at the best of times but the applicant is proposing underground parking.
The councillor added that the applicant has a plan in place to work with tenants to find new accommodations but that it is the responsibility of the current landlord to do it.
Ryan said he is skeptical.
Where the hell are you going to put everybody?’’ Ryan said. “They (Weymouth) just want to turn around and tear these buildings down and build a big apartment building and charge (more rent).’’
Rivard said it’s his understanding that the project will not happen until “later down the road’’ and that the building owners have a large inventory of apartments and have “committed to working with the current tenants on finding new housing when the time comes.’’
