With an eye on setting a standard for redevelopment of “underutilized” commercial properties, several city councillors are calling for changes to plans to build two six-storey apartment buildings in the Willow West Mall parking lot.
“The redevelopment of strip malls is a really timely conversation across North America. … It is a really big topic in planning,” said Coun. Leanne Caron during a public meeting on Monday. “There is a really big opportunity here.”
Starlight Group Property Holdings Inc. is proposing to construct a 70-unit residential apartment built fronting Willow Road, beside the parking lot entrance, and another building with 78 residential units above 605 square metres of commercial space on the ground floor along Silvercreek Parkway, south of the KFC.
In order for the plan to go ahead as-is, several zoning amendments are needed. Among them is a reduction in commercial space parking (from 788 to 764), permission to provide residential visitor parking underground, reductions in setbacks and lessening of required amenity space for residents.
The apartment buildings are intended to make “more efficient use” of a currently “underutilized” site, explained planning consultant Astrid Clos.
“As far as I can see, this is one of the first applications … for redevelopment of a low-density plaza,” said delegate Susan Watson. “How do you make this kind of density livable? I think the Silvercreek proposal could be a great pilot project to figure that out.
“I really want to see this development succeed. It could be the start of something transformative happening in the city. It’s worth getting it right.”
Many council members seemed to agree changes are needed, calling for the owner to find ways to provide increased amenity and greenspace for residents, as well as incorporate renewable energy initiatives and “soften” the transition between residential and commercial parking.
“I would need to see some significant improvement in order for me to support this,” said Coun. Cathy Downer. “All of the special regulations put together, cumulative effect, is a problem.”
Coun. June Hofland, whose ward includes the mall, said she’d spoken with “several residents in the neighbourhood” who expressed concerns about the shadow effect, visual screening of waste bins and the density, especially when combined with other developments set for the area.
“It just looks like we’re plunking two apartments on a commercial parking lot,” added Coun. Christine Billings. “The reason it looks like that is that is exactly what it is being proposed.”
