‘Totally out of place’: Public meetings planned for 34-storey tower, 108-unit apartment building in downtown Barrie

Barrie is preparing to build up once again.

The city’s planning committee will host public meetings Oct. 20 for two large, neighbouring developments proposed for the downtown core.

Of the proposals, is by far the largest. Rockhap Holdings has applied for a zoning bylaw amendment that, if approved, would permit the construction of a 34-storey mixed-use condominium building on its 2.2-acre site.

The project includes 1,014 square metres of ground-floor commercial space, 467 condominium suites, eight townhouses fronting onto Maple and five live/work units. A total of 412 parking spaces would be provided.

“The subject lands are currently occupied by a commercial office building, a large surface parking area and a single-detached dwelling unit which has been converted to commercial uses,” city planner Andrew Gameiro said.

A Bell office building borders the site and there are commercial and residential properties in the surrounding area.

Neighbours have expressed concern over the potential effect the development would have on traffic, the downtown skyline and loss of privacy. They’d also like to see more affordable options included in the design.

“It’s a very creatively designed project, yet I am totally dismayed at the proposed height of its tower,” resident Janet Ness wrote in a letter addressed to the city. “Planners should take a harder look at the big picture. This is not Toronto. Nor do we want it to be. (This) tower … will be totally and majorly out of proportion with current ‘high-rise’ buildings standing in the downtown. (It) will look totally out of place.”

She also expressed concern over the city’s ability to rescue occupants from a building that large during an emergency.

A zoning bylaw amendment has also been proposed for the nearby property at . Here, Coral Sophia Lane Housing wants to construct an eight-storey, 108-unit apartment complex. The building, if approved, would feature about 70 affordable units, a rooftop amenity area and 96 parking spaces.

Neighbours issued many of the same critiques toward this project as the tower proposal, Gameiro said.

“All comments that are received, as well as comments provided at the neighbourhood and public meetings, will be considered as part of the final recommendations in the planning staff report,” he said.

A staff report on each proposal will likely be presented to councillors in the first quarter of 2021.

The planning meeting begins at 7 p.m. To see the agenda, visit . The meeting can be viewed on the city’s .