Residential towers could be coming to Park Place (4 photos)

One of Barrie’s largest retail areas could have nearly 500 new customers at its fingertips.

Park Place could one day include approximately 490 residential apartments in two towers — 12 and 16 storeys in height, plus six storey podiums — on its property along Bayview Drive, near Mapleview Drive East and Highway 400.

A virtual neighbourhood meeting on rezoning and site-plan control applications for this development is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 9.

“There is currently a seniors living building at the northeast corner of Park Place and residents enjoy the advantage of being close to the many amenities in the area,” said Coun. Jim Harris, who represents this part of Barrie. 

“Across Ontario, there is an increase in mixed-use development hubs, so I am very interested in learning more about the potential advantages of this proposal for Park Place," he added. 

Phase one of the development would have a 16-storey tower and a six-storey podium for 296 residential units, ground-floor commercial space and 333 underground residential parking spaces.

Phase two of the project would have a 12-storey tower and a six-storey podium for 179 residential units, ground-floor commercial use and 224 underground residential parking spaces.

North American Development, through its planners, says residential growth will allow Park Place to evolve as a mixed-use district to support the longevity of this existing regional shopping destination. Its proposal accommodates residential intensification, tall buildings, and higher densities to facilitate the development of a complete community that is pedestrian-friendly and transit-supportive.

Harris said this proposal fits city plans for a complete community, with a range of services for residents.

“The location is connected to a transit hub and is near amenities which would be expected to reduce the need for residents to drive to meet daily needs,” he said. “The potential exists that these units may be rentals, which will address a significant housing need in our city.”

Harris said that while this project would add more traffic to the area, that’s not necessarily a problem.

“Traffic movement in the area has been a concern for some time. Recent improvements such as the Harvie Road overpass have helped,” he said. “I look forward to learning more from the traffic studies, particularly comparisons of traffic projections between Park Place including residential or simply adding more retail.”

This project is considered by city planning staff to be in the pre-application, public consultation stage.

It applications still require a public meeting, then approval by planning committee and city council.

The virtual neighbourhood meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022.

For more information search Ward 8 proposed developments on the city’s page, barrie.ca.