BRANTFORD – The proposed development at 816 Colborne Street in Brantford, Ontario, is being undertaken by J.H. Cohoon Engineering on behalf of 816 Colborne Street Inc.
The development involves the construction of two stacked townhouse blocks containing a total of 33 units on a site measuring 0.94 acres or 0.38 hectares.
The proposal includes 35 surface parking spaces, with four designated as accessible and 10 bicycle parking spaces.
The applicant has requested a reduction in amenity space, proposing 7.5 square metres per unit instead of the required 9 square metres under the current zoning by-law.
The site is currently zoned “Residential Type 1B Zone (R1B),” which permits single-detached dwellings.
The applicant seeks to rezone the property to “Residential Medium Density Type A – Exception 96 Zone (R4A-96)” to allow for the stacked townhouse development, along with site-specific provisions related to parking, amenity space, lot width, and lot area.
The property is located within an Intensification Corridor as designated by the City’s Official Plan. This designation supports higher-density residential uses and transit-supportive development.
The proposed townhouse blocks align with the city’s policies that promote efficient land use and compact urban forms.
Several site-specific provisions have been requested. The applicant proposes a parking ratio of 1.06 spaces per unit, below the city’s requirement of 1.25 spaces per unit under Zoning By-law 124-2024.
City staff have recommended maintaining the 1.25 spaces per unit standard to address potential overflow parking concerns.
For amenity space, the applicant proposes 7.5 square metres per unit, which is below the 8 square metres required under the newer by-law and the 9 square metres required under the current zoning.
Staff have indicated that the proximity of the site to public amenities, coupled with private balconies, may mitigate this shortfall.
A reduction in the lot width from 30 metres to 28.4 metres has also been proposed. City staff have supported this adjustment, citing the unique shape of the property.
The applicant has requested a side yard setback of 3 metres, compared to the required 7.5 metres.
Staff have indicated that landscaping and fencing can address privacy concerns for neighbouring properties.
Access to the development will be provided via a right-in/right-out driveway situated approximately 25 metres from the Colborne Street and Locks Road intersection.
The design includes a raised median to restrict traffic movements. Transportation staff have expressed concerns about the driveway’s impact on nearby properties and have recommended a holding provision until an acceptable access solution is developed.
The Zoning By-law Amendment application was recommended for approval by city planning staff on November 14, 2024.
The holding provision will remain in place until the applicant satisfies conditions related to access and road improvements.
The development is set to be discussed at the upcoming planning committee meeting on November 14, 2024.
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