91原创 Township council will decide later this month whether to rezone a Willoughby site to allow for 245 apartment units and a built-in day-care facility.
Council held a public hearing on the plan, proposed for a 2.83 acre lot (1.15 hectares) in the 8100-block of 200 Street, at its Jan. 13 meeting.
The original zoning and neighbourhood plan would have allowed for four-storey condos on the west side of the site, facing 200 Street, and townhouses on the east side, near 201 Street.
Apcon Group, the developer, asked the Township to increase the permitted density and height to allow 245 apartment units and 453 square metres (4,876 square feet) of ground floor commercial space on the east side of the project. The ground floor would include the planned day care, as well as some other commercial space, facing 201 Street.
After hearing from two members of the community who supported the development, council heard from Tejvir Atwal, Apcon Group's managing director.
Atwal said that the real estate market has shifted during the past few years.
He noted that housing prices shot up during the pandemic, and have since settled at a higher level, making buying a home challenging for many families.
The trend developers are seeing now, Atwal said, is that buyers are looking for condos near transit and shopping.
"All type of buyers that we're seeing, whether it's downsizers, first-time homebuyers, or young families, they're all aiming more towards the condominium living as a more viable option without compromising their budget, and most importantly being able to living in a desirable, centrally-located community hub," Atwal said.
He said the need for commercial space locally is growing as well, and the company's previous project, the Hive at the Willoughby Town Centre, also featured commercial space on its ground floor.
Councillor Kim Richter asked about the number of residents in the planned buildings who might need day care, and Atwal said they heard questions about day care at their previous project from about 60 to 65 per cent of residents.
Also on the day-care side, Coun. Tim Baillie asked for assurances that there would be adequate pickup and drop off space for the centre. Atwal assured there would be enough parking.
After the day care is accounted for, Coun. Michael Pratt noted that there would be about 1,400 square feet of commercial space left in the project, and he asked what it might be used for.
Atwal said these types of spaces are typically attracting small pharmacies, coffee shops, barbershops or hair salons, or sometimes convenience stores.
Asked about whether it would be a large chain, Atwal said that chains typically aim for larger stores and like exposure to major roads like 200 Street, whereas this space will face 201 Street.
Atwal said the project is aimed at fitting in with the goals of the 200 Street 2040 plan, which the Township is currently creating. The 200 Street 2040 vision is a plan for major regional hub neighbourhoods along 200 Street 鈥� from 86 to 72 Avenue 鈥� with higher density near planned future stops on a bus rapid transit line.
The council will consider third reading for the project at its next meeting, scheduled for Jan. 27.
