More people living and working in downtown Barrie is inching closer to reality with the proposed construction of two massive residential towers on Dunlop Street West.
Barrie Waterfront Developments is seeking a zoning-bylaw amendment for properties located at 39-67 Dunlop St. W. and 35-37 Mary St., to build two large towers in what's referred to locally as the Theatre Block.
The properties comprise the majority of the south side of Dunlop Street West, east of Mary Street and west of Maple Avenue.
The developer's plan was outlined during a presentation in June.
At Monday night's general committee meeting, councillors gave initial approval to the amendment without any discussion.
The matter still requires final approval at city council next week.
The proposal includes a phased, mixed-use, highrise development consisting of two 32-storey residential towers atop a seven-storey podium, with ground floor retail/commercial uses and 495 parking spaces to be located on Levels 2-6.
The residential units are to be comprised of one-bedroom (98), one-bedroom plus den (95), two-bedroom (244), two-bedroom plus den (2), and three-bedroom (56) models.
The zoning-bylaw amendment includes an increase to maximum building height, reduction to minimum required parking, an increase to the maximum permitted gross floor area, and reduction to the minimum required commercial coverage.
Around a dozen businesses would be affected by the project, including the Uptown Theater, the History Barbershop, The Market, Grand Theatre/Barrie Film Festival, One Love Island Cuisine, Mike's Barber Shop, Easy Livin', Pay Day Loans, and Avail Cannabis Clinics. At the end of the block is a vacant lot, while around the corner on Mary Street are The Sewing House and Mea's Place restaurant.
