A 19-storey mixed-use building proposed for Bronson Avenue is one step closer to reality after the city’s planning committee recommended Tuesday that city council approve zoning amendments to allow the project to proceed.
Toronto-based Lamb Development Corp., the owner of the property, is working with FoTenn Consultants and CORE Architects on the proposal.
The site consists of three lots between Bronson Avenue and Cambridge Street North, sitting between Nepean Avenue on the south side and Laurier Avenue on the north side.
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Under the bylaw amendment, the building can be as high as 62 metres along Bronson Avenue. There are also provisions preventing retail on Cambridge Street North.
The site is close to two current Transitway stops and will be close to light rail when it arrives. This falls under the city’s official plan for managing urban growth, targeting areas within 600 metres of rapid transit.
The proposal calls for ground-floor retail along Bronson Avenue and townhouses on Cambridge Street North, with 208 residential units and four levels of underground parking with 192 spots, 21 for visitors.
Under Section 37 of the Planning Act, Lamb Development must pay just over $350,000 to the city for community benefits which will include a community garden for Somerset Ward, landscape and pedestrian improvements to Cambridge Street North, and topping up the city’s affordable housing reserve.
Public consultation revealed concerns including driveway access, which has since been moved from Cambridge Street North to Bronson.
“I would like to acknowledge the applicant for working with the community association in order to resolve some of the outstanding concerns, such as the location of the entrance to the underground parking garage, bringing the height down, and having residential fronting on Cambridge Street,” Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney said in a statement.
While Ms. McKenney said she supports the bylaw amendment, she is not supporting the number of parking spaces that would be included.
“It is contradictory when the applicant uses proximity to transit and cycling facilities as a rationale for their application while at the same time providing a very high number of parking spaces,” she said.
Ms. McKenney added she would like to see landscaping improvements, including more trees.
“Reducing the parking requirements will allow the underground parking garage wall to be set back from the property line and should create more space for tree planting,” she said.
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The planning committee also approved a zoning bylaw amendment to allow a theatre at part of 401 Corkstown Rd., effectively giving the green light to a Shania Twain and Doobie Brothers concert schedule for Wesley Clover Parks on June 27.
