Grimsby residents were given the podium at a recent public meeting about the revised proposal to develop the former Fifth Wheel Truck Stop site - and they were not shy to voice their view.

"In my opinion, that is incompatible with the kind of small town that Grimsby is supposed to be," said nine-year resident Garth Stevenson.

He identified the height of the proposed buildings - 18, 22, 12, 12, 14, and 14 storeys - as his major opposition, and said he could not understand why they needed to be so high.

Height was a common theme among those in opposition to the project, as were sight lines, increased traffic and proximity to the lake.

"We're getting dedicated park land, but the amazing thing about it is that it's on the lake, and I don't see any plan for revetment or basically reinforcing the shoreline," said Stacy McNeil.

When water levels rise, she said that space will be lost anyway.

David Warden, who attended a public meeting about the Livingston Avenue extension just days before, said traffic projections are unbelievable.

"Adding the kind of development that they're proposing is just sheer insanity."

He also conveyed dissatisfaction with the design. While he understood the proposal means money for the town, residents should be able to see the lake, Warden said.

Those in favour of the project reminded the crowd that Niagara is in the midst of a housing crisis and needs affordable housing - one such speaker even criticized people for their nitpicking.

Dave Aston, from MHBC Planning, explained that this area has been identified as a major intensification area.

Rather than putting 14-storey rectangle buildings right to the edge of the land, which would be allowed, he said they opted for transitioned and integrated heights, which resulted in increased height adjacent to the North Service Road.

A traffic study was completed and changes were made, Aston said, but some details could be worked out during the draft plan approval stage.

As for any wave uprush, he said a full set of slope stability, geo technical and engineering reports were submitted. These have been generally acknowledged and accepted.

He added that they feel as if the sight corridors are appropriate.

The Losani Homes proposal for six mixed-use apartment buildings at 362 and 398 North Service Rd. has been revised since the public first spoke against it at a public meeting nearly a year ago.

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The most significant changes include more apartment/condominium units (1,276 up from 1,247); fewer 2.5-storey townhouse units (36 down from 38); removal of the 10 three-storey, back-to-back townhouse units; more parking spaces (2,099 up from 1,845); increased ground-floor space for commercial employment (6,984 cubic metres up from 5,334 cubic metres); building E was increased from 10 to 14 storeys and more open space has been added, 0.896 hectares of which would be parkland area, to extend the west-end waterfront trail.

The planning committee voted to receive the report for information. Staff will receive public and updated agency comments, then they will present a recommendation report and council will make its decision.