A five-storey, 32-unit apartment building on Mary Street is heading to public hearing in October.
The proposal is to rezone two properties at 9132 and 9146 Mary Street from an RC (Commercial Conversion) Zone to an R6 (Mid Rise Apartment) Zone, and the hearing will be on Oct. 10.
They’re proposing to build 32 apartment units, with 25 of them “small unit apartments” which are typically less than 600 square-feet, and 36 off-street parking spaces.
At the same time as the rezoning hearing on Oct. 10, a development variance permit will be considered to provide lot coverage and other setbacks to make room for the off-street parking structure, as well as higher density and building height.
The staff report for the Mary Street apartment project states it is “in keeping” with the redevelopment trend in the area, and “respects the overall character of the neighbourhood.”
“As the parcels are located close to the downtown core, in proximity to transit and commercial services, the increased density and building height permitted within the R6 Zone is considered appropriate in this location and in keeping with the existing ‘Residential 4 - Mid-High Rise Apartment’ designation of the Downtown Land Use and Development Plan.
“Furthermore, the surrounding area includes existing apartment buildings along both Mary Street and Ontario Avenue and as such, the proposal is in keeping with the redevelopment trend in the area and respects the overall character of the neighbourhood.
“The requested variances are supportable and not anticipated to significantly impact neighbouring properties or the neighbourhood as a whole,” according to the report.
Once the bylaw has been to public hearing, staff are recommending that council give it third reading and adoption. The public hearing was originally scheduled for Sept. 26 but the applicant did not meet the legislative requirements for it to be held, and was postponed until the October meeting.
