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Developer has plans for new apartment buildings on Elgin Street

Northern Shield Development Corp. says units will be 'affordable housing'; Developer is looking for permission for fewer parking spaces than is normal

A Barrie developer has ambitious plans for a new affordable housing project in the heart of Orillia.

Northern Shield Development Corporation, which specializes in modular and panelized homes, is planning to build two, three-storey apartment complexes on Elgin Street.

The plan involves demolishing five existing homes (at 64 to 74 Elgin Street) and then constructing the two buildings that will share a parking lot with the Village Inn which fronts on Colborne Street.

In total, there will be 27 apartment units in the two buildings.

However, the developer needs some latitude from the city before it can move forward.

In its current configuration, the new development would be able to accommodate 17 parking spaces - that’s four fewer than city regulations require.

Susan Votour, the city’s planning coordinator/secretary-treasurer, told council committee this week the developer is petitioning the committee of adjustment for approval to reduce the number of required parking spaces from 21 to 17.

The developer noted there will be bike racks to accommodate 30 bicycles and staff noted that people living in affordable housing units often don’t have cars and tend to rely on public transit and bikes.

Votour explained the city zoning bylaw requires 1.5 spaces per unit in a building with more than three dwelling units. However, because this development is located in the downtown, the zoning bylaw provides for a 50 per cent reduction in the required number of spaces, reducing the requirement to 21 parking spots.

However, Votour noted the committee of adjustment is only permitted to rule on a request to reduce parking spaces by two or fewer - unless approved by council.

On Monday, council committee gave the committee of adjustment approval to deal with the request at an upcoming meeting about the development. (Decisions made at council committee are subject to ratification at Thursday's council meeting)

Greater concern was expressed around the council table about the ‘affordability’ component of the project.

It was noted this project has not gone the typical route through the County of Simcoe’s affordable housing program.

However, staff “vetted this through the county” and asked the developer for potential rental rates.

As a result, staff are “satisfied” the rents will be “affordable” according to the provincial policy statement definition of affordable, which mirrors the city’s definition of affordable in its Official Plan.

“But there is no contract … there is no assurance about the rates?” asked Coun. Tim Lauer. 

Several councillors were concerned that without any guarantee, the rental rates may not be “affordable” for long. 

Mayor Steve Clarke pointed to the two affordable housing projects on Barrie Road which received substantial county funding. In those two facilities, rent only must be “affordable” for 15 years; there have also been multiple problems related to the management of those buildings.

However, staff told councillors there is no mechanism, in the planning process, for the city to make any stipulations about property management.

Lauer said council would have to take “a leap of faith” if it, ultimately, endorses the Elgin Street project.

For now, the issue will go to an upcoming Committee of Adjustment hearing.


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Dave Dawson

About the Author: Dave Dawson

Dave Dawson is community editor of OrilliaMatters.com
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