The developer of a proposed two-tower residential complex in Stoney Creek, Ont., seeking to re-designate the parcel for the project has been rejected by the province. The Ontario Land Tribunal ruled that the 18 and 20-storey development, which would bring 564 units of housing to the area around Battlefield Park, represented over-intensification of the area. The tribunal determined that the high intensity proposed would overwhelm the neighbourhood, as the property is located within an area designated for lower density.
The latest plan for the development included two housing towers, a commercial space on the ground floor, and underground parking. Surrounding the proposed site are Battlefield Park to the east, vacant lands to the south, and a municipal cemetery to the west. Lawyers representing the appellant argued that the development aligned with the city’s initiatives to accommodate future population growth through infill and intensification. However, Ward 5 Coun. Matt Francis opposed the project, suggesting that a more realistic number would be about eight storeys with between 100 and 200 units per hectare for the location.
The appellant’s attorney, Denise Baker, claimed that the building plan presented no adverse impacts to the neighbourhood and stated that the site on the periphery of a residential area was well-suited for high-density development. However, Francis pointed out that the city is leaning towards putting larger towers on corridors along the forthcoming LRT line, and even then, the height and density of the buildings must make sense. He emphasized the need to be mindful of the historical significance of the park and cemetery, suggesting that 20- and 18-storey buildings would not be suitable in such a location.
The proposed project, which would have brought 564 housing units to the area, was seeking to change zoning permissions from a lower density ‘neighbourhoods’ classification to a ‘mixed-use medium density’ ranking. The rejected appeal means that the developer will likely have to go back to the drawing board and reconsider their plans for the residential complex in Stoney Creek. The Ontario Land Tribunal’s ruling, which highlighted the over-intensification of the area, has put the future of the development into question.
The city’s initiatives to accommodate future population growth through infill and intensification clash with the concerns raised by local officials and residents about the proposed development’s impact on the historical and residential character of the area. The rejection of the appeal to change zoning permissions indicates a need for a more careful and considerate approach to urban development in Stoney Creek. The developer will need to reassess the project in light of the tribunal’s ruling and work towards a plan that is more in line with the surrounding neighbourhood and the area’s historical significance.
