Title
APPLICATION FOR A ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT - SUBMITTED BY INNOVATIVE PLANNING SOLUTIONS INC. ON BEHALF OF MARIO LAMBERT HOLDINGS LTD. - 79 GOWAN STREET (WARD 8) (FILE: D14-1691)
Greg Barker from Innovation Planning Solutions advised that the purpose of the Public Meeting is to review an application for a Zoning By-law Amendment submitted by Innovative Planning Solutions Inc. on behalf of Mario Lampert Holdings Ltd. for lands known municipally as 79 Gowan Street, Barrie.
Mr. Barker discussed slides concerning the following topics:
• The site context and surrounding area;
• The surrounding amenities and land designations associated to the subject site;
• The location of the subject lands in relation to the Historic Allandale neighbourhood;
• Pictures illustrating the surrounding area built forms;
• The existing land use designation and zoning for the subject lands;
• The urban growth direction associated with the application;
• The proposed Zoning By-law Amendment;
• The conceptual renderings, elevations and floor plans for the proposed development;
• The community comments and concerns raised at the neighbourhood meeting; and
• A summary of the application.
Michelle Banfield, Director of Development Services provided an update concerning the status of the application. She reviewed the public comments received during the neighbourhood meeting held on October 17, 2019. She advised that the primary planning and land use matters are currently being reviewed by the Technical Review Team. Ms. Banfield discussed the anticipated timelines for the staff report regarding the application.
VERBAL COMMENTS:
1. Cathy Colebatch, 97 Cumberland Street, advised of the neighbourhood’s excitement to see a development for the vacant lot, and that she is overall happy with the proposal. She noted the neighbourhood’s concerns with the footprint and the design of the proposed development. She acknowledged that some of their concerns will be dealt with at the site plan level. Ms. Colebatch advised that the residents’ concerns are with the scale of the project’s footprint of the building and the 30 metre setback from Metrolinks. She noted her concerns associated with the size of the parking lot as it appears larger than the building itself as well as the location of the lot being in front of the building instead of the rear yard. Ms. Colebatch indicated that the current streetscape in the area are single family homes and walk-up apartments, and noted that her concern is that the building is so far back it ends up half way through the lot line, and that the people who live on either side of the building will be looking at the front of the building. Ms. Colebatch questioned the accessible parking spots and whether accessible units will be included in the development. She noted a concern with the proposed flat roof line, as the houses and buildings on Gowan Street all have a pitched roofs.
Ms. Colebatch addressed a number of questions to Mr. Barker and received responses.
Ms. Colebatch provided pictures illustrating 74 Gowan Street and the surrounding areas.
2. Barbara Mackie, Co-Chair of the Allandale Neighourhood Association, advised that she supports the comments made by Ms. Colebatch, and she reiterated that the 30 metre setback of the building is the issue with a few smaller items. Ms. Mackie commented that this development will be setting a precedent for future developments on Gowan Street, and that it is important to get this right.
Ms. Mackie read a copy of correspondence that was sent to Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil from the Allandale Neighbourhood Association regarding their concerns with the proposed development. Ms. Mackie noted that they have received correspondence back from the MPP and will be meeting with her in the near future.
3. Emily Hawkes, 81 Cumberland Street, provided her concerns with the proposed development as she feels it will be massive in size and will be facing her backyard. She commented on the height of the building being four stories when no apartment buildings in the area are higher than three stories. Ms. Hawkes noted that it is the first time to see a drawing of the proposed development and that she doesn’t think it fits into the neighbourhood.
4. John Northcote, 86 Cumberland Street commented that he believes this development will set a precedent for future developments along Gowan Street. He advised that his main concern is related to parking that will result in increased traffic in the area. Mr. Northcote commented that he had hoped the developer would request a parking supply that was lower than required in the Zoning By-law instead of an additional parking due to the area having the best access to transit and active transportation. He noted that he believes the City will have trouble hitting the transportation modes as indicated in the Transportation Master Plan if the City continues to allow additional parking then required by the Zoning By-law. Mr. Northcote suggested having six parking spots as opposed to the eight proposed in the application and the possibly of adding more greenspace.
5. Milena Nikolic, 77 Cumberland Street noted that she agreed with the comments made by the previous speakers. She noted that her biggest concern was associated with the footprint of the proposed development. Ms. Nikolic commented that she felt that the proposed development is not keeping with the character of the neighbourhood where there is opportunity to do so. She indicated that the development should not be built with a flat roof, but with a pitched roof to keep with the aesthetics of the neighbourhood. Ms. Nikolic indicated that she would prefer that the building be three storeys.
Members of Planning Committee asked a number of questions of clarification to Mr. Barker and City staff and received responses.
WRITTEN COMMENTS:
No written comments were received.