THUNDER BAY — City administration cites multiple reasons for council to approve a by-law amendment allowing the construction of a pair of apartment buildings on John Street Road.
A developer has submitted plans for two 8-storey, 45-unit buildings at the intersection with Chercover Drive.
The property is currently zoned service commercial, and most recently has hosted an equipment rental business.
In order for the housing development to proceed, city council must pass an amendment to the official plan, and change the zoning to urban mid-rise.
"The proposal is an example of residential intensification, which includes the redevelopment of an underutilized commercial site," states a report from the planning services department, to be submitted to council on May 12.
City administration is recommending the rezoning request be granted.
It outlines numerous factors supporting the development:
- consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement, conforms to the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, and maintains the general intent of the official plan
- will efficiently use land and services, and is expected to positively contribute to the orderly development of safe and healthy communities
- will contribute to the provision of a full range of housing, including affordable housing
- is an appropriate location for growth and development
- will support public transit
The proponent, a numbered Ontario company, plans to provide 105 parking spaces, of which 84 would be indoors.
Although a traffic impact study must still be conducted, the planning services report suggests the surrounding road network can support the development as well as future development in the neighbourhood.
As of April 23, the city had received 14 submissions about the project from area residents expressing concerns about issues such as increased traffic congestion and noise.
