A 136-unit townhouse development is on its way to the city’s south end, thanks to support from council.
During its Tuesday evening meeting, council unanimously approved a series of zoning bylaw amendments to allow for eight blocks of stacked townhouses at 331 Clair Rd. E., located on the south side of Clair Road, between Gordon Street and Victoria Road.
The proposal, which includes relocating and reusing much of an historic stone farmhouse, comes from a numbered company that includes Reid’s Heritage Homes as an owner.
A public meeting in October saw no opposition come forward.
“Overall, the retention and conservation of the building over the long-term is considered a beneficial impact,” states a heritage impact study for the project, which suggests the relocation will have a “neutral” impact.
“Adverse impacts are related to the removal of the original foundation and the rear summer kitchen. These impacts can be mitigated through documentation, salvage and commemoration,” the study report continues.
Council agreed last month to seek Ontario Heritage Act designation for a stone home on the site. Known as the James Hanlon farmhouse, the structure was built circa. 1850 and is on the city’s municipal heritage registry.
City clerk Stephen O’Brien confirmed no objections to designation have been received by the city as of Tuesday, with a deadline of Dec. 22.
If there is an objection, council will be asked to confirm the designation or withdraw it – a decision that can be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Otherwise, the designation bylaw will be presented to council to formalize the process.
This isn’t the first plan proposed for the property. In 2012, the property was proposed to be split in two, with the historic farmhouse kept on a 0.11-hectare parcel and 60 townhouse units built on the remaining 1.55 hectares.
City council didn't take a stance on the proposal, resulting in an appealed being filed with to the Ontario Municipal Board. The appeal was dismissed in 2015.
