City council revokes plans for waterfront development project in Barrie
In the vibrant city of Barrie, a contentious residential high-rise development has sparked debate among residents and city officials. The proposed project, led by Blackthorne Development Corp., has faced opposition from local resident Diane Jones, who voiced concerns about potential traffic congestion.
Diane Jones, expressing her concerns, stated that traffic worsens considerably when the downtown area is closed for special events. She fears that the proposed high-rise development, if built, would exacerbate these issues, particularly along Dunlop Street East, which is already a major traffic bottleneck towards downtown.
The development, initially planned as a 25-storey structure, has been scaled down to 10 storeys. This reduction is likely due to changes within the city council. The project now includes 135 parking spaces and ground-floor commercial space.
Mayor Alex Nuttall, on the other hand, has expressed a preference for more affordable housing options in the city. He indicated that there will be more purpose-built rental developments over the coming months in Barrie.
Maurizio Rogato, a planner with Blackthorne Development Corp., has challenged the decision to downsize the proposed development. He suggested a structured approach with purpose-built rentals taking place in the city, aiming to address the "spectacularly high" cost of rental housing in Barrie.
However, Rogato also objected to the amendment to the zoning bylaw, which would require a minimum of 1.2 parking spaces per dwelling unit and reduce the permitted building height to 10 storeys. He argued that this amendment is contrary to the planning act, including matters of provincial interest.
The proposed site for the development is currently fenced off near Sam Cancilla Park. The development, originally intended for a 160-unit building on the lakeside of Mulcaster Street and Dunlop Street, has sparked much discussion within the community.
As the city moves forward with the development process, it remains to be seen how Barrie will balance the need for affordable housing with the concerns of residents like Diane Jones regarding traffic congestion.
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