Report to: Development Services Committee                   Report Date: September 14, 2010

 

 

SUBJECT:                         INFORMATION REPORT

                                            Times Group Corp (Eden Park Phase 2)

                                            Applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments to permit 103 additional apartment units and reduced parking on Block 50, Plan 65M-3226, south side of South Park Road, east of Times Avenue in the Leitchcroft Community, file nos. OP 10 120306 and ZA 10 120307.

PREPARED BY:              Ron Blake, Development Manager West District, Ext. 2600

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:

 

                                 

THAT the report dated September 14, 2010 entitledTimes Group Corp (Eden Park Phase 2), applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments to permit 103 additional apartment units and reduced parking on Block 50, Plan 65M-3226, south side of South Park Road, east of Times Avenue in the Leitchcroft Community, file nos. OP 10 120306 and ZA 10 120307” be received as background to the Public Meeting scheduled for September 14, 2010.

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Not applicable

 

1. Purpose                     2. Background                     3. Discussion                         4. Financial       

 

5. Others (HR, Strategic, Affected Units)                                   6. Attachment(s)

 

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is to provide preliminary information on the applications.  This report contains general information in regards to applicable OP, zoning and other policies as well as other issues and the report should not be taken as Staff’s opinion or recommendation on the application.

 

 

BACKGROUND:

The applications by Times Group Corp were received on July 7, 2010 and were deemed complete on July 13, 2010.

 

Authorization to hold a statutory public meeting with respect to the applications was granted by the CAO over the 2010 summer recess.

 

Property and area context

The subject lands comprise 1.07 ha (2.65 acres), located on the south side of South Park Road east of Times Avenue in the Leitchcroft Community (see Figure 1).  These lands represent the final stage of the Leitchroft Phase II development (located between Times Avenue and Saddlecreek Road), approved by the Ontario Municipal Board in December 2004.

 

The subject lands are currently vacant and contain no vegetation or natural features (see Figure 2).  To the north are townhouses, built during the initial development phases of the Leitchcroft Community.  Staybridge Suites, a long-term stay hotel, is located immediately east of the subject lands.  The Eden Park Phase 1 development is currently under construction immediately to the west.  Highway 407 borders the southern boundary of the property.

 

Current Official Plan and Zoning

The subject lands are designated Commercial and Community Amenity Area by the Official Plan (Revised 1987), and Community Amenity Area – Mixed Use by the Leitchcroft Secondary Plan (OPA 41), as amended by OPA 127.  The lands are zoned Community Amenity Area One *38 (Hold 2) [CA1*38 (H2)] by By-law 177-96, as amended.  Medium and High Density residential uses are permitted. 

 

OPA 127, approved by the OMB in December 2004, specifically caps the combined number of residential units on Blocks 41, 42, 43 (the blocks bounded by Galleria Parkway, Times Avenue, South Park Road, and Saddlecreek Drive) and part of Block 49 and Bock 50, located south of South Park Road (comprising the subject site and adjoining property to the west) at 1,205 units (see Figure 4).

 

In June 2009, Council approved Zoning By-law Amendment 2009-83, which permits a maximum of 1800 residential units in the *38 zone.  Although the number of units permitted by the zoning by-law is greater than OPA 127, the *38 zone covers a larger area than OPA 127, and the unit caps established by the Zoning By-law are consistent with those established by OPA 127, as discussed in more detail below.  This Zoning By-law amendment also establishes a holding provision (H2) on the site, which is not to be lifted until the Town is satisfied that sufficient servicing allocation is available and has adopted a resolution granting additional servicing allocation to provide for the number of dwelling units permitted.

 

Development to date

In the summer of 2005, site plan approval was granted for 413 unit residential units on Blocks 41, 42 and 43 consisting of 357 apartments and 56 townhouses (see Figure 3).

 

In the spring of 2010, site plan approval was granted for 457 units on part of Block 49 (Eden Park Phase 1) immediately west of the subject lands, consisting of 430 apartment units in three 13-storey buildings and 27 townhouse units fronting the south side of South Park road (see Figure 3).  This development is currently under construction.  

 

The combined unit count of these two developments is 870 units, leaving 335 units available for development on the subject site, based on the 1,205 unit cap established by OPA 127. 

 

From the standpoint of the *38 zone, as amended by By-law 2009-83, which not only covers Blocks 41, 42, 43, 49 and 50, but also lands further north to Highway 7, a total of 1,465 units have been built or are under construction within this zone. This also leaves 335 units available for development on the subject lands based on the combined cap of 1,800 units established for this zone by By-law 2009-83.

 

Proposed Development

The proposed development on the subject lands consists of two 13-storey apartment buildings linked by a 2-storey lobby, aligned along the southern boundary of the site adjacent to Highway 407.  In addition, townhouse units are proposed fronting on the south side of South Park Road (see Figures 5, 6 and 7).  In total 438 residential units (416 apartments and 22 townhouses) are proposed, which exceeds the number of units permitted in both OPA 127 and By-law 2009-83 by 103 units.

 

OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:

Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments required

The applicant is proposing a total 438 residential units on the subject lands, whereas OPA 127 and By-law 2009-83 provide for only 335 units.  Amendments to both documents are required to permit the proposed number of units.

 

A reduction in parking standards also requested

By-law 28-97 establishes a parking standard of 1.5 parking spaces per apartment dwelling unit and 2 spaces per townhouse unit.  The applicant is proposing an alternative standard of 1.3 spaces per apartment unit.  The applicant has submitted a Parking Demand/Supply Review in support of this proposal.

 

Site Plan application not yet submitted

The applicant is preparing a site plan application for the proposed development which will be filed shortly.

 

Additional studies submitted and required

 The applicant has submitted a geotechnical study and parking supply/demand study in support of the application. 

 

In addition, Staff have advised the applicant that a servicing study to address provision and/or extension of sanitary sewer, storm sewer, watermain services and stomwater management facilities to accommodate the proposed increase in units, and a traffic study to address the issues of trips generated by the proposed units must be submitted to the Town’s satisfaction. 

 

A noise study will be required as part of the supporting documentation for a future site plan submission.

 

Conditional servicing allocation is required for the proposed development

Sufficient 2013 conditional allocation, including the 35% Regional LEED Silver allocation credit, will be required to accommodate the proposed development.

 


Consideration should be given to a Section 37 contribution

The additional 103 units proposed on the site represent an increase of approximately 30% over the 335 units currently permitted by the Leitchcroft Secondary Plan and Zoning By-law 177-96.  In these circumstances it would be appropriate to consider a potential Section 37 contribution for community benefits, should Council approve the application.

 

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

The proposed development will complete the final stage of the Leitchcroft Phase II development.

 

CONCERNS TO BE RESOLVED:

No concerns/issues have been identified to date.  Any concerns/issues identified through the circulation and detailed review of the proposed development will be addressed in a final staff report to be presented to Committee at a later date.

 

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)

Not Applicable

 

HUMAN RESOURCES CONSIDERATIONS

Not applicable

 

ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PRIORITIES:

The proposed applications will align with the Town’s strategic priorities of Growth Management and Municipal Services by implementing the proposed development in coordination with available servicing allocation and anticipated transit improvements along Highway 7.

 

 

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The application has been circulated to relevant Town departments and outside agencies and is currently under review.  All conditions and requirements received will be addressed and incorporated in the final draft plan and conditions of draft approval.

 

RECOMMENDED

                           BY:   

 

 

 

________________________                                    ________________________

Biju Karumanchery, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.                         Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P.

Senior Development Manager                                    Commissioner of Development Services

 

 

 

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Figure 1 – Location Map

Figure 2 – Air Photo

Figure 3 – Area Context and Zoning

Figure 4 – Proposed Site plan

Figure 5 – Proposed Elevations

Figure 6 – Proposed Elevations

 

OWNER/AGENT

 

OWNER:        Times Group Corporation

                        c/o Hashem Ghadaki

                        President

                        330 Highway 7 PH 3

                        Richmond Hill ON  L4B 3P8

                        P: 905-882-6826

                        F: 905-882-1573

                        Email:  hashem@timesgroupcorp.com

 

 

AGENT:         Malone Given Parsons Ltd.

                        Nick Pileggi

                        140 Renfrew Drive

                        Markham ON  L3R 6B3

                        P: 905-513-0170

                        F: 905-513-0177

                        Email: npileggi@mgp.ca

 

 

 

 

File path: Amanda\File 10 120306\Documents\Recommendation Report