The property at 303 Kingston Road just can’t seem to find a developer that has the wherewithal to finally get the shovels in the ground.
In 2004, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #1 located at 303 Kingston Road closed and the site was sold. The new owner submitted an application to the city to construct a four-storey residential building. The application was approved, however the development did not proceed. The property was then resold, and the new developer submitted a zoning by-law amendment application to construct a eight-storey building. The site was then sold again to a new owner who has submitted a new application for the property.
On Nov. 16, the city held a community consultation meeting at the Beaches Rec Centre to inform local residents and get feedback about the proposed application.
The current owner, Butler Group Consultants Inc., wants permission to build a seven-storey (six plus mezzanine) condominium. The building would contain 62 live/work units and have 24 underground parking spaces.
The rezoning application is required because the density of the building is 4.03 times the area of the lot – twice the density ( 2. times coverage) allowed in the by-law. The proposed building will be 20.5 metres high which exceeds the height maximum of 14 metres, although the building will be stepped down on the south side nearest the residential neighbourhood.
Access to the underground parking would be off Haslett Avenue.
Both Councillor Mary-Margaret McMahon and Senior City Planner Leontine Major reported that, while the density of the proposed building was of concern to the community, it was traffic and parking that was the greatest issue about the plan.
A number of residents took strong objection to the fact that while there were to be 62 units in the building, only 34 parking spots were being created.
McMahon said that “many of the people at the meeting walked [to the Beaches Rec Centre] because they were afraid to lose their parking space on the street… The area needs a local parking and traffic study.” Major said that people felt there was already a problem with traffic and parking that the development will exacerbate.
McMahon was pleased that the proposal did call for 45 bicycle parking spaces.
The feedback and comment from the community will be reviewed, along with reports from a number of city departments before the planning department makes its recommendation, probably in the spring of 2012.
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