While still in the early stages of development, a 15-storey condominium on the city’s lakefront, proposed for a site that has been dormant for almost 20 years, is inching closer to reality.
A virtual neighbourhood meeting held Thursday was the first opportunity for residents to hear about the highrise being proposed for 217 Dunlop St. E. and ask questions about it.
PBM Realty Holdings Inc. has held the property since 2001 and president Peter Moore told BarrieToday he is excited about where this could lead.
“It has been a long and expensive process, but will be well worth it once it's all done,” said Moore. “It is a beautiful property and really showcases the beauty of our lake.”
PBM Realty Holdings Inc. is a private real estate investment enterprise that has operated in the region for more than 40 years.
Moore said this property “is the last piece of vacant land along the lake in the city,” with the city owning the rest or development already happening in other spots.
The development was on hold for many years for different reasons, one of which was polluants in the ground from a previous cleaning company that was there.
“We have been involved in discussions with the City of Barrie and the Ministry of the Environment all this time and the whole clean-up was very time consuming, and very expensive, as we wanted to get it done right and take care of the area’s natural beauty,” said Moore.
Last night’s virtual neighbourhood meeting was attended by approximately 40 people. Concerns ranged from building height, shadow impacts, neighbour privacy, views, and traffic/intersection safety.Ward 2 councillor Keenan Aylwin told BarrieToday he hopes the developer will listen to the concerns of neighbouring residents.
“I’m hoping that the developer will listen carefully to the concerns of neighbouring residents and do as much as possible to ensure the proposal is well-designed and integrated into the neighbourhood,” said Aylwin. “I will continue to advocate for the interests of residents in Ward 2 and the City of Barrie on all development applications."
Moore said that the vision for 217 St. E. is one that blends into the immediate area and will match what surrounds the site on both sides.
“On either side of this proposed development, there are buildings that are 15 storeys, so it is not something new to that area,” said Moore. “It is also not a very wide building so it’s not going to cut off much view.
"The really good thing is that there is currently no access for the public to get to the great trail down that way," said Moore. "We’re adding a trail that allows for the public to be able to take their walks, put their feet in the water, whatever they desire. It's a very public-friendly development.”
The next meeting will likely be at the beginning of next year, with Moore saying that the earliest possible “shovels in the ground” date being at the end of 2021 and any possible occupancy being in 2023.
