Dunlop Street West could be stocking up on new housing, on a smaller scale.
Public meetings will be held this evening on rezoning applications to facilitate a total of 49 residences in four- and five-storey buildings at 196, 202 and 204 Dunlop St. W., between Eccles and Francis streets.
“The proposals are certainly more modest than some we have seen recently,” said Coun. Craig Nixon, who represents this part of the city. “Barrie needs increased residential development in all shapes and sizes.
“When a 20- or 30-storey building goes up, it speeds up available supply. However, the size of the development is up to the one who is building it, and there are many factors that can determine the reasons why a developer might choose to build something with less density than what could be approved,” he added.
“I cannot speak for the developer,” Nixon said, “but not everyone wants to live in a 20-plus storey highrise, and the developer may be looking to fill a niche that is often overlooked in today’s market.”
At 196 and 202 Dunlop St. W., Fresco Developments Bayfield wants to rezone the land from residential multiple dwelling second density, with special provisions, to mixed-use corridor with special provisions. The variances include a larger front-yard setback than is allowed and smaller landscape buffering.
This rezoning is needed to redevelop the site for a four-storey, mixed-use apartment building, consisting of 33 residences, two commercial spaces and 37 above-ground parking spaces on 0.6 acres.
The property is rectangular in shape and located on the north side of Dunlop Street, east of the intersection of Frances Street and Dunlop Street West.
The land at 196 Dunlop West is occupied by a single-detached home and an accessory structure, while 202 Dunlop West contains an existing building converted into commercial space, known as Dunlop Office Furniture.
All structures on both lots subject to the rezoning would be demolished, should the land be successfully rezoned.
A staff report on this application is anticipated to be brought forward by year’s end for general committee’s consideration of the proposed zoning bylaw amendment.
At 204 Dunlop West, Koutroulakis Management wants to rezone these 0.23 acres from residential multiple dwelling second density with special provisions to mixed-use corridor with special provisions. They include a height of 20.2 metres when 16.6 metres is allowed and larger front-yard setbacks than allowed.
The rezoning allows redevelopment of the site for a five-storey, mixed-use apartment building consisting of 16 residential rental units, with associated commercial space and 18 surface parking spots.
This land is rectangular in shape and located on the north side of Dunlop Street, east of the intersection of Frances Street and Dunlop Street West.
A single-detached dwelling with commercial uses occupies the property and would be demolished should the land be successfully rezoned.
A staff report is anticipated to be brought forward, again by year’s end, for general committee’s consideration of the proposed rezoning.
A public meeting is one of the first phases of Barrie’s planning process.
Wednesday’s public meetings are part of the city’s affordability committee, which begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Barrie City Hall.
