Residents oppose apartment development project in Sudbury neighbourhood

A group of Sudbury residents continues to voice its opposition against a proposal to build three new apartment buildings in their neighbourhood.

The community of Sunrise Ridge Estates is located on high hill not far from the city's downtown and overlooks the Kingsway. The subdivision is made up of over 80 single-family homes, constructed by Sault Ste. Marie developer SalDan Construction Group. 

The developer initially had plans to expand the neighbourhood by building more homes, but now wants to construct three nine-storey apartment towers on the site, at the ends of North Field Crescent, Fieldstone Drive, and Kingsview Drive. The buildings would accommodate 324 units, with 108 units designated to be affordable housing.

SalDan Construction put in an application with the city to have the area rezoned from low density to high density to accommodate the project. That proposal was approved by the city's planning committee on Feb. 3, with a staff report recommending city council green light the development.

Greater Sudbury city council approved the project at their meeting on Feb. 18.

"When we bought our house, that's what we were told by the builder, that it was always going to be low density and homes," said resident Delores Armieri.

Armieri is opposed to the development, along with many of her neighbours. She said many people chose to build their homes in the community based on the promise that it would remain single-family homes.

Armieri adds that area residents don't feel the neighbourhood can sustain the influx of hundreds of more people and cars, and would rather see other forms of housing built, like town homes.

"So what our concern is, is safety and traffic because we only have one way in and one way out," said Armieri. 

"So if there was ever an emergency of any type, imagine trying to evacuate over 800 people and probably 800 cars, because the transit system doesn't run all year round and it doesn't come up Sunrise Ridge."

Armieri explained that a brush fire on the ridge last September led to the one-way street into the neighbourhood being blocked for hours from emergency vehicles. She said many people are also experience low water pressure in their homes and many are concerned there would be water issues with the addition of the apartments.

Fellow community member Arnold Burton says the neighbourhood doesn't have many sidewalks to walk on, and the roundabout connecting the streets is hard to navigate and sight lines are blocked due to a structure in the middle.

"My daughter lives down the street with four children that walk on these roads that come to my house," explained Burton. 

"Her driveway backs onto the roundabout, and so would I move away from her? No. Am I afraid for my grandchildren's safety because they have to walk around the roundabout? Absolutely."

Burton said he doesn't believe the developer or the city have done sufficient enough assessments or research to address the risks community members have brought forward over the past year. 

Public meetings and consultations have taken place between the developer, the city and residents since February 2024. Dozens of letters and a petition have been sent to city staff opposing the build.

"I've talked to hundreds of people. I haven't met one that wants a 10-storey apartment building built beside their home," said Burton.

"I mean, it's just obvious that people don't want that. So I'm not sure what the drive is to build this."

According to the staff report, the development aligns with provincial housing targets and would help the city improve its low vacancy rate, which sits at just 1.4 per cent, lower than the provincial average of 2.7 per cent. It's also expected to generate $1.4 million in taxation revenue.

The staff report also said, "There was no opposition to the proposed rezoning identified by any circulated department or agency."

With the development now moving ahead, SalDan Construction hopes to begin building as soon as possible and have the project completed in the next two years.

For Armieri, that decision means she's now considering selling her home.