Tay Township staff are proposing a mixed-use zoning for a stretch of Talbot Street in Port McNicoll to increase residential use while keeping the door open for commercial opportunities.
Steve Farquharson, the township's general manager protective services and development services, presented the option to council Wednesday night at a public planning meeting.
He said staff believe it's suitable to have an apartment or low-rise apartment dwelling in the area, with each dwelling unit possibly having an independent entrance. In this case, Farquharson added, the frontyard setback will be zero if the unit parking is not at the front of the building.
The design and build, he said, would be such that it would allow for the same buildings to be converted into commercial units on the ground floor, while the floors above or below can remain residential. As well, Farquharson said, each unit will be required to have at least 12 metres of outdoor amenity space, such as a balcony, deck or terrace.
Coun. Paul Raymond appreciated the concept, but questioned the difference in setbacks for commercial and residential properties.
"If a builder puts up a building initially as residential, will that preclude him from converting any of the units to commercial down the road because zoning setbacks don't match?" he asked.
Farquharson admitted that is a challenge.
"When we come back with our recommendations, we will clarify that for council," he said. "Another thing we want to clarify is parking for commercial use buildings. We want to make sure they don't have to come through with a minor variance if that's the case."
Raymond said his concern was that the township may open up the land with good intentions, but the buildings that end up being constructed there may never become commercial.
"I would hate to see a building stuck to commercial standard that may not end up being commercial," he said.
Coun. Barry Norris was curious about the mixed-use zoning, which is new to the township.
"Is it new to the province?" he asked.
"Every municipality calls it something different, it's not new," said Farquharson, adding with this in place, the township could look at implementing a similar zoning in other areas within the municipality.
Norris then questioned the 12 metres of outdoor amenities asking if it was realistic for lots of that size.
Farquharson said it is since the buildings won't be similar to larger apartment buildings with hundreds of occupants.
Norris wanted to know what the county had to say about it.
"The county will wait until we've made a decision on it and then they will make their decision," said Farquharson, adding staff had also consulted relevant provincial departments, Indigenous groups and the Severn Sound Environmental Association.
Norris asked if the township would have an opportunity to appeal if the county turned down the proposal.
"I don't think the county will have objections to it," said Farquharson. "It's within our settlement areas where we want growth to occur. We could look at appealing it, but I don't think the county will object to us doing this."
Council also had comments on some photos Farquharson shared of similar projects in Barrie and Whitby.
"When the build is done or when they bring in the proposal, the buildings (need to) maintain a nice look so they're not shabby looking like some of these buildings I've seen in Barrie and other areas," said Coun. Sandy Talbot. "They're not appealing. They need to maintain the small-town feel. That's what I would strive towards living in this area. I'd like to keep it quaint."
Farquharson assured council that any development would be subject to site-plan control.
"We have the ability to comment on design and what it looks like," he said. "The site-plan applications come to council for approval. We're probably going to look for more traditional types of development."
Staff will now bring a full report forward at a future council meeting, but until then, comments can be emailed to [email protected].
