Almost 100,000 more people could live within 800 metres of 200 Street in Willoughby once the area is fully developed, according to a preliminary Township report.
At the July 15 meeting, the last of the summer, 91原创 Township council unanimously voted to defer considering the report on 200 Street 2040, a study on transit-oriented development along the corridor through the Willoughby neighbourhood.
The document, which outlines a potential vision for the area, suggests three "transit villages" at 72, 80, and 86 Avenues, each based around a future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station. They were dubbed the Gateway, the Hub, and the Commons, from north to south.
The Gateway, close to the highway interchange and with existing office buildings, would be more business- and job-oriented. In the center, the hub at 80 Avenue, where the 91原创 Events Centre sits, would have a focus on community and civic events. At the south, the Commons would be more residential in nature, with professional services and seniors residences. All three areas would have some residential component.
Based on the development strategy in the report, when the area is fully built-up, it could accommodate:
鈥� 47,050 new housing units
鈥� 98,500 new population
鈥� 58,200 new office/industrial jobs
鈥� 941,000 square feet of new retail floor area
Density would be concentrated around the transit hubs, with highrises of 20 storeys or more close to each of the three villages, surrounded by smaller residences closer to 12 storeys, then lowrise structures of four to six storeys on the outer edges.
The proposed development strategy wouldn't override the existing new neighbourhoods and commercial areas that have already been built along parts of the corridor. Those amount to about 23 per cent of the land area, and were not considered as part of the planning process, so they will remain as-is.
Mayor Eric Woodward noted that he had some questions and concerns, but said the report was a good update overall.
"I certainly had some concerns with some of the densities proposed in some areas of the plan, I maybe wanted a chance to digest that a little better," Woodward said.
Coun. Michael Pratt said he was excited to see the possibilities for the corridor, with urban villages in a community that is still 75 per cent agricultural land.
Council will take another look at the plan at the first meeting in September.
