Neighbours oppose revamped Hell's Angels club house

Neighbours of a former biker clubhouse are opposing plans to turn it into a community centre.

A group called Evergreen wants to turn 139 Heron St. into a centre to help families and at-risk youth in the Simpson-Ogden area.

But 14 neighbours have objected to the re-zoning of the building.

They said they're worried about parking in the area, decreasing property values and more graffiti popping up.

Lack of communication

Evergreen spokesperson Linda Bruins said it's a case of her small group being unable to communicate what it really does.

"Not all the neighbors … are aware of the work we do," she said.

"We're a small group and slowly connecting with people and I guess people have hesitation about what will be happening right next door to them."

Bruins said a petition started by neighbors supporting the rezoning has more than 400 signatures.

She said she hopes that proves to be a persuasive argument at city hall. Evergreen needs to get the property to be rezoned — and city councillors will consider the application to do so on Monday night.

Judy Nelson Childs, who is with the Ontario Native Women’s Association, works in partnership with Evergreen. She said neighbours in the area need to give Bruins and the group a chance.

"Everything that Linda touches is a positive thing," she said. "I would say that if they have fears they perhaps have those fears because they haven't had an opportunity to meet with her personally," she said.