Apartment proposal delayed in Dresden

By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice

A zoning application by an Ontario numbered company that would pave the way for Dresden’s Park Street Place to become an apartment building has been deferred.

Chatham-Kent council made the move following a presentation to at the April 28 meeting.

If approved, the move would see the former seniors’ residence transformed into market rent living spaces.

North Kent Coun. Jamie McGrail said she made the motion to postpone to allow for public consultation on the matter.

“My intent is to engage our community and neighbours and make sure the process is right,” McGrail told council, ensuring the Dresden community has the “opportunity to feel heard.

“I believe there is a disconnect between neighbours and the company,” she added. “We need to take time to review this.”

The land where Park Street Place is located is currently zoned institutional. A zoning change to medium density residential is needed to facilitate a private developer’s plan to create 40 apartments at 650 Park St. According to the plan, small units will be consolidated to make way for bigger apartments.

Park Street Place was utilized as a nursing home for many years, but was sold in 2024 following financial mismanagement and serious issues with patient care. The building was vacant until the Municipality of Chatham-Kent leased it to house residents displaced by the 99 McNaughton Avenue fire.

A handful of deputations on the matter were presented to council outlining concerns from neighbours.

Shannon Sherman told council that surrounding neighbours want the facility to remain institutional, noting the community needs another old age home.

Plus, Sherman said, residents are worried the project will lead to lower property values and to an increase in nuisance crimes, similar to what happened when the 99 McNaughton residents moved in.

Katie McLaughlin, who lives across the street from Park Street Place, said problems arose when the displaced moved in.

Fights in the gazebo, dogs running loose and cars being broken into were some of the issues the neighbourhood dealt with, McLaughlin said.

“We’d like to see it go back to a retirement home. We have an aging town and people want their family to stay in town so they can visit,” she said.

Concerns that the structure would be used for subsidized housing were also discussed, following a question by Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy.

David French of Storey Samways Planning Ltd. spoke on behalf of the numbered company. He said there have been “no discussions to date” that the structure would be used for anything other than market rent apartments.

“The rents are based on market level at an attainable level,” French said.

Officials are still working on the details of the public consultation.

The matter will return to council at a future meeting.