New apartment complex proposed for Tecumseh

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Tecumseh residents got to pitch their concerns and support Tuesday to town council regarding a new apartment development proposed for the 1400 block of Lesperance Road at the first public hearing on the project.

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The proposal, which is called Tree Heights (arbourheights.com), calls for three 2.5-storey buildings constructed on what are currently three individual lots. Each building will house six two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments (1,155 square feet).

A 28-space parking lot would be located at the back of the property, which is situated at the intersection of Arbor St. and Lesperance Road. Access to the property would be from Arbor St.

To keep the buildings’ height down, the first floor of each building will be partially sunk into the ground. The project would present a similar architectural style to the St. Anne’s Arms apartment development located just a block north of the proposed project.

I’m concerned it’s so close to my home

The developers, who were represented by design consultant Andrew Pipolo and Dearbrook real estate agent Andrew Smith, are seeking to have the .29-hectare parcel of land rezoned to accommodate the higher density development.

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“I think there is a need and a want here,” Smith said.

“I saw how successful St. Anne’s Arms was and I think we can do the same here. We’ve even involved two of the architects involved in St. Anne’s.”

Smith said the buildings would be strictly higher-end rentals.

Lesperance Road has become an important arterial connector off the EC Row Expressway and some residents raised concerns about increased traffic volume with Saint-Antoine Elementary School sitting across Arbor St. from the development. The south end of the development abuts two homes.

Former Tecumseh councilor Rita Ossington lives in one of those homes and opposes the development.

“We’re not opposed to development on the property, rather the size and intensity,” Ossington said. “I’m concerned it’s so close to my home.

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“These buildings are taller than anything in the neighborhood and there’ll be windows overlooking my private space.”

Ossington also raised concerns about the garbage storage and air conditioning units being so close to her property, the lack of fenced separation and a potentially transient population renting in the building.

“This will bring a drastic change to the neighbourhood,” Ossington said.

However, a report done by Dillon Consulting found the development wouldn’t add significantly to traffic volume. The Essex Region Conservation Authority also has no objections to the development.

With the town’s population growth having stagnated in the past two censuses, Tecumseh grew by 71 people in the just released 2021 census, the town has been looking to add more and different options in housing.

“We have invested a lot in our infrastructure,” said Tecumseh’s Director of Planning and Building Services Brian Hillman.

“We have to start utilizing the capacity we have in our infrastructure.”

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