Several Nicholls Road residents turned up at a public hearing last week out of concern that a proposed expansion to the Evergreen Seniors Home will alter their quiet, neighbourhood street.
Two residents voiced complaints over traffic, parking and privacy.
Kelly McCay said she’s worried the lot at 636 Nicholls Rd. will be turned into a parking lot.
“Once Calvin (Headrick) purchased the property he started using it for staff parking,” McCay said.
“Our first concern is that once this rezoning application is approved, but before he is funded to start building his addition, he will have the right to use his property as a parking lot. With that, we ask that if this application is approved, that a safety fence and privacy hedge be installed along the length of the property.”
Pat Barber, who lives across the street from the property, said he worries about increased traffic.
He said as it is, drivers have been using Nicholls as a way to avoid waiting for the traffic light at Evergreen and Dogwood.
McCay said she’s aware there is a shortage of parking available at the existing seniors home on Evergreen and she’s concerned staff will start using Nicholls Road for parking once the new building is in place.
Owners Calvin and Cindy Headricks’ proposal is to rezone the lot on Nicholls Road to accommodate an expansion to the existing 38-unit complex at 635 Evergreen on the corner of Evergreen Road and Dogwood Street. The Headricks want to expand the seniors home and build an additional 27 units in a separate, two-storey building on Nicholls Road.
The Headricks have taken into account their neighbours’ concerns and said they plan to have covered staff parking on the Nicholls site and they will maintain Evergreen Road as the main entrance for all deliveries and visitors.