At the near neighbour meeting on Dec. 10 and through the online from Dec. 22, 2025 to Jan. 14 2026, the City accepted comments on the proposed site plans for 38 Cowdy St. We received feedback from over a dozen residents who shared their thoughts on the proposed market housing and park revitalization. Below is a summary of the community feedback which has been sorted according to Support, Concerns and Requests with the existing plans.

Support

Mixed Use (Park + Housing)

• Some residents believe the combined park and market housing plan is a good idea which can add needed green space and address the ongoing housing shortage.
  
• Others support the idea specifically if:
  • Housing is modest in scale (e.g., townhouses).
  • Some affordable units are included.

Support for Park Improvements

• Strong support for creating a park, gardens, and paths.
• Residents express appreciation for efforts toward green space and improved community amenities.

Concerns

Process

• Some residents shared frustrations with the engagement process as the intention for housing was only discussed in closed Council sessions and did not align with prior community feedback. Specifically residents cited the absences of community ideas from the June 2025 engagement (e.g., community centre, daycare).
• Residents feel they were asked to comment without adequate information (size of parcel, number of lots, zoning, or parkland retained).
• Neighbours want more honesty and transparency around the process and why the sale of public property is necessary for park revitalization. Specifically, some neighbours question why housing must be placed on this site in order to fund the park and whether there are different precedents for funding parks.

Impact on Community & Park Function

• Some neighbours cited that the property is too small to successfully support both a meaningful park and housing.
• Residents also expressed concern of a “big developer” taking over the project.There is fear this form of development may overlook the community’s needs
• Residents were concerned that adding housing will reduce access points and make the park feel like a courtyard for adjacent homes rather than a community space.
• One neighbour also felt reduced sightlines from new housing and fencing could create opportunities for encampments, drug use, and decreased safety.
• Security during shelter wind-down must remain strong; residents do not want the site turned into a new shelter.

Requests

Housing Preferences

• Interest in affordable housing, not just market housing.
• Preference for smaller-scale housing, such as townhouses or small homes—not
• large apartment buildings.
• Desire for housing people can actually afford, given current economic challenges.

Park & Community Space Features

• Requests for:
  • Combined children’s play area and community dog park.
  • Community gardens.
  • A walking path for people and pets.
  • Park space designed for true public use and visibility.

Next Steps

This feedback will be used to inform future engagement events on potential opportunities for lot sizes, location of housing, parkland size, and other considerations. Further engagement events with neighbours will be scheduled as plans for 38 Cowdy St. Progress.

As the new Shelter on Sydenham Road begins a phased opening in February, the winddown at the Adelaide Stree Shelter will proceed as planned. Beds will gradually be reduced as capacity is added to the new shelter. Operations at the Adelaide Street Shelter will end March 31, as shared in December.

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