City council has approved another apartment building for a busy corner across from Orchard Park Shopping Centre.
Two apartment buildings are currently under construction on the site at Underhill Street and Baron Road. A development permit for the new project was the subject of a public hearing on Tuesday (Nov. 5). Council raised concerns about the massing and length of the proposed six-storey building.
âI would have preferred to see a bit more articulation in the middle, something that would have made it look like two buildings, even though it would have just been a facade,â Councillor Luke Stack said.
Breaking up the length of the building was considered by the applicant, and the option of going to 12 storeys - allowed under the current zoning - was explored.
âI personally donât think that would fit or integrate well with the character of the evolving neighbourhood, despite it being an allowance in the zone,â said Mark Koch, representing Lorval Developments.
Stack added that he liked the fact that the 177 units in the building would be for sale.
âWeâve seen a lot of rental units come through, which Iâm delighted about, but we also need to see some for-sale product.â
Concerns about staging areas for equipment and materials around the site during construction were also raised.
âBenvoulin, Springfield (where other condos are being built), and Cooper have been a mess,â Coun. Maxine DeHart said, addressing the developer. âI donât think the public, the council, or myself want to go through what weâve just been through on that corner.â
Koch said the construction team has secured a nearby site for staging. Councillors Ron Cannan and Charlie Hodge said the project is too much for the area.
âI wonât support it,â Hodge said. âThe length of it - if it was a little more open in design, Iâd be a lot more comfortable.â
Hodge and Cannan were the only councillors opposed to moving the project forward.
