OMB battle between city and developer just getting started

Despite city council rejecting a proposed 11-storey apartment building in Barrie's east end, the project’s developer hopes an Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) hearing at city hall this week will overturn council’s unanimous decision.

On Sept. 18, 2017, councillors turned down a proposal from Starlight Investments to develop an 11-storey building consisting of 222 units. The 1.42-hectare parcel of land is located at 37 Johnson St., which is a brief walk from Johnson’s Beach.

The site is also next to an existing 11-storey building consisting of 196 units.

A second building would result in two large apartment buildings in the area of Johnson and Blake streets.

Although the OMB was replaced by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in April 2018, cases filed before that date fall under OMB rules. The Johnson Street matter will be heard this week at Barrie City Hall, located at 70 Collier St. 

Current Ward 1 councillor Clare Riepma was president of the Barrie East End Household Association (BEEHA) when the application was submitted. Riepma told BarrieToday on Monday that he has been following this process and knows of the backlash from some people in his ward.

“Council turned down the application unanimously last year and the BEEHA and a lot of local residents were opposed and submitted a petition with 400-plus names," he said. "We are all very opposed to this, because this would become one of the highest density sites in the city.

"If we are going to have this type of density, it should be in the downtown core, not at Johnson Street," Riepma added. "The area is already congested with people going to the beach in the summer and ice fishing in the winter.”

Bonnie Ainsworth, who was the councillor for Ward 1 when the proposal was made, has been vocal in her opposition to the proposal.

Ainsworth, who was on hand Monday for Day 1 of the proceedings, tells BarrieToday she's going to be a participant and is likely to speak on Wednesday.

“My concerns have always been about dropping 300 people into the area which I know can’t handle that kind of intensification,” she said. “The accepted rule of thumb is 1.2 people per unit and with the rent in the building likely starting at $1,300, you’re sure to have people doubling up to afford it.

"It would be a congestion nightmare," Ainsworth added. 

One of the witnesses called Monday on behalf of Starlight was Eldon Theodore, an agent for MHBC Planning Urban Designs and Landscape Architecture.

During his sworn statement, Theodore rebuked Ainsworth’s theory of overloading the population in the area. He said it can logistically fit and said that he believes the development is perfect for the area.

“Public services agencies all said they had no concerns about any additional population, nor did the nearby commercial businesses raise concerns on population over-intensification,” Theodore said.

“The development also lines up well with the city’s affordable housing goals and it is my opinion that the growth management goals have been met," he added. 

Theodore provided the hearing with many points that he argued met the qualifications for the development, including a board with 31 separate images showing how the shadows from the building would not overly affect properties surrounding the proposed area should an 11-storey building be constructed.

The hearing continues today (Tuesday, Jan. 8) at 10  a.m. at city hall with the board hearing from participants who are speaking for and/or against the proposal.