THUNDER BAY — Over the objections of some local residents, city administration is recommending that council approve a zoning by-law amendment that would permit several apartment buildings to be constructed on Golf Links Road.
A developer wants to erect three apartment buildings and one commercial building at 1530 Golf Links Road opposite the intersection of Golf Links and Riviera Drive.
Red River ward councillor Brian McKinnon says he's heard from concerned residents of the neighbourhood.
"Yes, I've had a number of phone calls. Clearly, they are concerned about the density. They say it's going to increase the traffic dramatically," McKinnon said in an interview.
"I've seen the plot diagram. It seems like that's a lot of buildings on a fairly small piece of property," he added.
The site is currently zoned C2 - Urban Centre, and designated as Neighbourhood Commercial in the 2018 Official Plan and Urban Residential in the 2002 Official Plan.
Under current zoning regulations, mixed-use buildings—defined as a building containing one or more non-residential uses, and one or more dwelling units—are permitted.
The developer needs an amendment to permit standalone apartment buildings and a standalone commercial building. As a city planning department document notes' "the proposed uses are currently permitted, but their building format is not."
An administration report to council supports the application, saying the request is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan for Northern Ontario, and also confirms to the official plan.
The proposed amendment would permit a maximum of 120 dwelling units, and a commercial area that could include a drugstore.
If council approves the project at its Monday evening meeting, McKinnon said, residents will have the option of appealing to the province's Local Planning Appeal Tribunal.
The issue will also be discussed Tuesday night at a Red River ward meeting being hosted by McKinnon.
