GUELPH — A proposed development project led by Michael Flaman Productions Ltd. (Michael Flaman) is set to transform the landscape of a Guelph neighbourhood.
The plan entails severing the subject lands into two distinct parcels with the construction of two buildings (one on each parcel), comprising a duplex and a small apartment complex, at 68-76 Wyndham Street South.
Designed by Fryett Turner Architects, the development aims to revitalize the currently underutilized site, which presently houses a detached home and a largely vacant lot.
The proposed construction will occupy the southeast corner of Wyndham Street South and Howitt Street, bringing new residential offerings to the area.
The centrepiece of the project is a four-storey apartment building offering nine residential units designed to accommodate seniors in a co-housing arrangement. Each unit is slated to feature three to four bedrooms, catering to varying household sizes and needs.
The development plan will unfold in two phases. Phase One involves the demolition of an existing commercial building to make way for the construction of a three-storey duplex featuring two residential units.
Notably, the duplex will address the corner of Wyndham and Howitt Streets, enhancing the streetscape and traffic flow.
Following the completion of Phase One, Phase Two will commence with the demolition of an existing house and detached garage. Subsequently, the construction of the four-storey apartment building will take place, providing residential options to the community.
This phase will also involve the completion of parking infrastructure and driveway access, ensuring seamless integration with the surrounding environment.
However, Mr. Flaman has submitted a zoning by-law amendment application seeking approval for requested changes from the standard requirements. The requested zoning changes include special provisions for adjustments to both sites on the subject lands.
For the apartment portion of the site, several adjustments are proposed to meet zoning requirements and ensure adequate functionality.
These include a reduction of the minimum front yard from 3 metres to 2 metres, facilitated by a 3-metre road widening on Wyndham Street. A 1.5-metre interior side yard on the east side of the building is proposed, allowing for building maintenance access, with potential additional buffering provided by fencing.
A minimum rear yard of 5.4 metres, where 7.5 metres is required, along with a 0.61-metre buffer from parking spaces to the rear lot line, enhancing setback with additional potential buffering from fencing.
The proposal provides 12 off-street parking spaces instead of the required 14 for nine residential units. This parking ratio of 1.33 spaces per unit is deemed adequate, given its proximity to public transit and downtown amenities.
The special provisions for the duplex portion of the site include reducing the minimum front yard requirement of 6.0 metres to 4.3 metres, reducing the minimum exterior side yard requirement of 4.5 metres to 2 metres, and the maximum lot coverage permitted, usually capped at 40%, is requesting to be exceeded to 54%.
Furthermore, the minimum lot area requirement of 460 square metres is requested to be 306 square metres, taking into account an approximately 80 square metre area allocated for road widening along Wyndham Street.
Similarly, the minimum lot frontage required of 15.0 metres is requested to be reduced to 11.0 metres to accommodate the same road widening.
These adjustments align with the proposed rezoning of the site from the current R.1B-10 zone to a split zoning of R.2 specialized and R.4D specialized, addressing zoning deficiencies while accommodating the project’s scope and objectives.
The development’s phased approach and emphasis on diverse housing options underscore its commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable communities.
With its strategic location and thoughtful design, the proposed rental apartment buildings promise to contribute positively to the urban fabric of this Guelph neighbourhood.
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