'One chance to get this right': Aurora neighbours worry about proposed fourplex in heritage area

'I don't remember such a co-operative applicant,' councillor says of property owner

Yorkregion.com
July 20, 2021
Lisa Queen

After hearing concerns from neighbours, Aurora has sent a property owner looking to build a fourplex on Centre Street in the town’s historic area back to the drawing board.

More than 200 people have signed a petition against property owner Hassan Faraji’s bid to turn a single-family home at 74 Centre St. into a fourplex.

Councillors and the committee of adjustment have told him to revise his plans, with Faraji agreeing to a deferral in order to come back with changes to his development proposal.

However, neighbours remain worried, Steve Armes, who lives next door at 78 Centre, said.

They feel the current proposal doesn’t reflect the town’s heritage guidelines for the area, he said.

“We’re glad (councillors and the committee of adjustment) saw the concerns of the community and stopped the process for 90 days,” Armes said.

“As has been noted by many people, including the heritage committee, we have one chance to get this right. It’s not something we can slap up and fix later. Once it’s built, it will stand for decades or more.”

Faraji did not respond to a request for comment.

However, at the July 6 general committee meeting, Coun. Wendy Gaertner said he has complied with every change the town has requested of him so far.

“I don’t remember such a co-operative applicant in my time on the heritage committee or that I’ve heard of since,” she said.

Neighbours are unanimously in favour of redeveloping the property at 74 Centre but feel the fourplex is “unsuitable” for the area, Armes said.

“The proposed building is inappropriate for the Olde North East heritage quadrant, as it does not reflect the nature nor history of the neighbourhood and does nothing to preserve the heritage look and feel of this community,” he said, adding Faraji has not consulted with residents who would like to work with him on a compromise.

“It will detract from the green, well-treed nature of homes in the area and serve as a reference point for other developers who wish to destroy the heritage community of Aurora.”

Residents are also concerned about adding to traffic to the street, Armes said.