The stage is set for design work to begin on a multi-family residential development proposed for Harbourfront Drive.
At its Jan. 22 meeting, council revisited applications for zoning and official community plan (OCP) amendments for 721 Harbourfront Drive NE. The property’s owner applied to rezone the .238 hectare lot, located on the east end of Lakeside Manor, from R-8 (Residential Suite) to R-4 (Medium Density Residential), and redesignate it in the OCP from Low Density Residential to Medium Density Residential.
Council voted unanimously in support of both, giving the related bylaws third reading. This was after a public hearing was held for both.
Wendy Whelen, the agent acting for the property owner, said the intent is to build nine units in two buildings.
“If it’s approved, then we start designing a project of up to nine multi-family units consisting of a building… 15 metres back from the riparian area on the lakeshore,” said Whelen. “It would be approximately the same distance as the buildings on both sides of it, the house and Lakeside Manor, and then another building with smaller units that would be street-oriented along Harbourfront Drive. The parking we intend to put in the middle so that it’s concealed and meet the parking regulations in the zoning bylaw which, for 9 units at 1.5 spaces per unit, is 13.5. We can easily accommodate that.
“We’ll meet the setbacks, in fact exceed the setbacks on the Lakeside Manor side. We’d also be happy to share our preliminary plans for comment with the community when we’re at that point.”
The only concerns raised about the applications were from Lakeside Manor residents, shared in a letter by Lakeside Manor general manager Arlene DeWilde.
One concern had to do with overflow parking in the winter, when the south side of Harbourfront is closed to parking. Other concerns had to do with the noise and the proximity of the housing development, building height and the blocking of views, and increased traffic.
Regarding building height, Whelen said, “Lakeside Manor is, I think, 13.54 metres high and, under the zoning that we’ve applied for, we can go up to 10 metres…”
“We are aware of concerns expressed by Lakeside Manor and we feel that we can work with them during the design process to address any concerns through the design of the buildings,” said Whelen.
Mayor Alan Harrison thanked Whelen for addressing the concerns of Lakeside Manor.
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