Council rejects student housing proposal for 92 Napier Road in close vote

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

A controversial proposal for a 40-room student housing development at 92 Napier Road was narrowly defeated in a razor-thin council vote on Tuesday, Aug. 12.

The proposal, brought by Amber Peak Developments, incited strong community opposition, including a petition with 332 signatures citing concerns about noise, traffic, and changing the dynamic of the family-oriented neighbourhood. 

Councillors against the development, like Conny Glenn, warned the project could turn the area into a “student ghetto”. The expectation of rent costing $1,000 per room only heightened concerns.

Despite this, proponents noted the project aligns with city housing policies and warned rejecting it could lead to an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT). 

“I’ve never said this before, but I’ll just say we have a 100 per cent chance of losing at the OLT…“ Mayor Bryan Paterson stated.

Ultimately, council voted 7–6 against approving the necessary zoning amendments, halting the development for the time being.

Listen to the full story here.