A public meeting is being held to allow citizens to weigh in on a “transformative” waterfront development planned for a former scrapyard.
Last year, Sterling Group, a Toronto developer, purchased about three acres at 144 Elgin Street, the former Schacter & Sons Scrapyard, bordered by Scott Street and Elgin Street.
They plan to build 53 three-story townhomes on the land.
“We’re very excited with the prospects of developing (this) property,” Paul Federico, president of Sterling Group, told OrilliaMatters after purchasing the property.
“We are excited to be part of the city’s waterfront revitalization plan which will transform the waterfront and will have a positive impact (on) the community.”
Sterling has submitted its site-plan for the property. Before it can move forward, city council must consider the company’s application for a draft plan of subdivision for the common-elements condominium.
The municipal government will also have to consider an amendment to its zoning bylaw to pave the way for Sterling Group to proceed as planned.
According to a notice from the city, the “purpose and effect” of the amendment, if passed, would be to permit “back-to-back” townhouses and “rear-loaded” townhouses at the site.
Sterling’s proposal includes:
- 2 standard townhouses on Elgin Street;
- 7 back-to-back townhouses on Elgin Street;
- 5 back-to-back townhouses on Colborne Street East;
- 22 back-to-back townhouses on a proposed private condominium road; and
- 17 rear-loaded townhouses on a proposed private condominium road.
Orillia’s senior planner, Jill Lewis, said there are currently no back-to-back townhouses in Orillia.
She said such townhouses “have no rear yard. They are two sets of townhouses attached together along the rear wall,” Lewis explained.
She said the term ‘rear-loaded’ means the buildings will face Lake Couchiching but will be accessed by vehicles from the rear of the unit (from an internal condominium private road).
According to the notice from the city, Sterling is also seeking “relief from various performance standards” including:
- reduced lot area and frontage;
- increased lot coverage;
- reduced front yard, interior side yard, exterior side yard, and rear yard setbacks;
- reduced landscaped open space and landscaped buffer area; and
- reduced size of sight triangles.
City council will host the public meeting, in the council chambers at the Orillia City Centre, at 4:45 p.m. on June 3.
“Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend,” said Lewis.
“Members of the public may address council directly during this public meeting to express any concerns or to ask questions.”
Frederico has said he wants to be part of the renaissance of the city’s waterfront.
“Orillia presents a very unique opportunity to be part of a renaissance of sorts, bridging the waterfront with the downtown and thus opening up the streetscape (and) paving the way for more waterfront development,” he said.
Orillia Mayor Steve Clarke told OrilliaMatters late last year he is excited about the proposal.
“They’re not building a 20-floor condo tower that would act as a barrier between Front Street and the water,” said Clarke. “I fully believe Matchedash Lofts and the development at 144 Elgin Street with some nice community space will really help connect things.”
The “community space” the mayor is referring to is a 468-square metre urban square at the front of the development, close to the waterfront.
It’s a key component of the project, said Laura Thompson, the city’s manager of real estate.
“When we have conversations with developers, they're able to adjust their proposals to better connect with municipal projects,” said Thompson. “For example, the developer has incorporated an urban square in their proposal, like a community space. They're proposing to locate it along the Centennial Drive lot line, so that it can connect with the city park across the street.”
Federico said he embraces the city’s approach to the waterfront.
“Council and city officials understand the benefits of waterfront investment as a means to further enhance the city’s character which will attract more quality development,” he said.
He also knows the quality of the development, along the waterfront, is vital.
“We make it our company objective to build innovative living environments that pay homage to the character of the surrounding community,” he said.
