A project that would build more than 1,600 units of apartments and townhouses in Willoughby was given preliminary approval by 91原创 Township council on Monday, Sept. 11.

The rezoning and land use amendments, if given final approval, would allow McElhanney Ltd. to re-designate the southernmost part of the land assembly from single-family mixed residential zone to multi-family housing, although the previous zoning already allowed for rowhouses and four-plexes.

There will be 1,452 units in low-rise buildings up to six storeys and 171 townhouses built on the site if the project goes forward, for a total of 1,623 units of housing.

The site is south of 80th Avenue to 78th Avenue, between 202A Street and 204th Street. To the west across 202A is the 91原创 Events Centre and Peter Ewart Middle School.

The proposal passed first and second reading with little discussion.

Councillor Kim Richter noted the sizable Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) that the project will give to the Township if it receives its final approvals.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 quite a chunk of change, $34 million,鈥� Richter said.

She asked about why the money will not be turned over by the developer until building permits are issued, but Mayor Eric Woodward said that was part of recent changes that revamped the CAC rules.

The developer will provide $5.9 million towards the CACs after final reading of the bylaws, and the rest after the development permits are approved.

The Township dramatically changed its rules to capture more CACs than it had previously. CACs can be spent on building sports fields, pools, libraries, and other civic facilities.

The project will come back for further debate before there can be a vote to give it final approval.

The project was one of several development proposals that came before council on Monday. Immediately before the McElhanney project, council approved a 100-unit townhouse project, and after that they considered a 185-unit condo project with 21,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and a 3,200 square foot daycare.

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