Neighbours who live near the site of proposed seniors’ complex in Owen Sound have some concerns about the new development.
City council approved a recommendation during Monday’s meeting to have staff continue processing a zoning by-law amendment application from 10th Avenue Estates (Graham Design & Construction) for an 85-unit residential development on 6.5 acres of vacant land near 10th Avenue East and 23rd Street A East.
The development would include 22 townhouse units, as well as 63 units in two apartment buildings. It would be located on the east side of 9th Avenue East, essentially on the other side of the road from Notre Dame Catholic School.
Planning consultant Ron Davidson spoke for the applicant Monday. He says anybody who lives in the new community will have to be at least 55 years of age.
“One of the apartment buildings will involve four floors of apartments, with an underground parking area … the townhouses will be one-storey,” Davidson explains. “In this development, there will be other facilities like a pickleball court, exercise room, craft room, common room, a small park, among other things.”
The properties would be life-leases. According to an Ontario government guide, life-lease housing provides a buyer with an interest in a property, and the right to occupy a unit for a long period of time, often for their lifetime. But the buyer does not own the property.
Several residents who live in close proximity to the proposed development attended city hall Monday to share their concerns during a public meeting. Their main issue was traffic. A couple of residents who live on 10th Avenue East/23rd Street A East advocated to have the city build another permanent road, saying there are already existing issues accessing 9th Avenue East during peak times with two schools nearby, which would be exacerbated by another development in the area.
No final decisions have been made yet on the proposal. City staff are expected to prepare a recommendation report and bring it before council at another meeting, either later this month or in September.