After both sides presented their case last week for and against a proposed apartment building at 37 Johnson St., in Barrie's east end, the matter is now in the hands of the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
A decision could take up to a few months to deliver, however.
The three-day hearing wrapped up Wednesday, Jan. 9 with the Starlight Investments lawyer cross-examining the city’s planning witness, comments from residents who were either for or against, and the closing arguments.
The city’s legal representative, Peter Krysiak, told BarrieToday that Day 3 was more heated than the first two.
"Five participants spoke, with four against the proposal. I think they had an impact on the hearing because they did not oppose the development on NIMBY (not in my back yard) grounds," he said. "Rather, they discussed how the proposed development is not compatible with the character of the neighbourhood.
"Because compatibility is a legitimate planning issue, the tribunal should give consideration to the participants’ input," Krysiak added.
The OMB hearing took place after Starlight Investments, which owns the property at 37 Johnson St., appealed a city council decision made Sept. 18, 2017 to reject an apartment building being constructed in the area of Johnson and Blake streets.
The heart of the issue is a proposed 11-storey apartment building with 222 units. The 1.42-hectare parcel of land is a brief walk from Johnson’s Beach and is also next to an existing 11-storey building consisting of 196 units.
Robb Meier, who has been a resident of the area for over 30 years, was the lone participant to speak in favour of the development.
“The world is rapidly moving away from single-passenger vehicles. Transit-oriented development and transit supportive densities are the way we all are moving,” said Meier. “This building is on a transit route, it's connected to the North Shore Trail and it has a plethora of amenities within 200 metres, including groceries, pharmacy, gasoline and beer. Doctors offices, both elementary, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions are all within walking distance of this development.
"The local road network can accommodate the projected traffic increases from this development, so from a density location perspective, it is appropriate," Meier added. "Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, the location of this building would allow for lower trip generation per unit than in other locations, since it is so well serviced by local amenities, transit and (active transit) routes.”
The tribunal will now review all the evidence, both written and verbal, and write a decision, which will be sent to all the parties and participants.
Editor's note: The Ontario Municipal Board was replaced by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal in April 2018, but cases filed before that date still fall under previous OMB rules.
