One of the two Council statutory public meetings on Monday January 8 is for an application to amend both the Zoning Bylaw and the Official Plan to enable a severance application on Banner Road just south of the 6 storey condominium development on King Road. Personally i am perplexed about this application as I would never have predicted this: a proposal to build 3 new single detached houses (which are not modest) in this location today as it is prime land for greater density. To suggest that creating 3 lots out of 2 achieves this is off the mark.
As it is a public meeting there is no need to register to make comments in person. If you wish to participate virtually you need to register by noon on Jan. 8 with clerks@king.ca. You can also email your comments to Council by sending them to clerks@king.ca by noon on Jan. 8. As its a public meeting there will be no decision except to refer back to Staff.
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There are countless examples of condominiums being flanked by large and small residential dwellings. The fact the applicant is proposing 3 lots out of two I find refreshing. It shows respect for a long established residential neighborhood characterized by single family dwellings. Expanding our stock of multi-storey residential units is not the ONLY approach to intensification. This application could one day pan out to be housing for a hospice, assisted living, women’s shelter or medical/therapeutic premises. There is an endless stream of large detached dwellings being built all over the place, so why be concerned now?
Hi Sheila, I can only agree with you that the proposal is consistent with the established neighbourhood. Having said that I think it is reasonable to think of using the space to create some “gentle density such as townhouses or semi detached. The attraction to considering this is that it is so close to an arterial road with public transit. And yes there are many examples of condominiums or apartment buildings with single detached adjacent. I have definitely not researched this but its my guess that the single detached were there first and not built after the condo was built.
The irony of this application is I was at the council meeting that proposed the condominium application on the now former municipal building. The residents of Banner Lane were more than distraught. Shortly after the application was approved the majority of residents of Banner Lane put their houses up for sale. While the concept of townhomes appears to be fashionable, the fact of the matter is a luxury townhome at a million or more is not a good buy when there appears to be a very healthy market for single detached dwellings commanding 3 or more million dollars as a asking price. It really does not make much difference if there are 12 persons living in one mega mansion or 6 townhouses of 2 persons each. The applicant I believe has weighed the financial gains involved in this proposal. More money and a whole lot less trouble likely rules the day during these difficult financial times.