Barrie to allow 56-unit townhouse development near GO train tracks

Barrie has given the go-ahead for a new development along a rail corridor.

Council approved a zoning bylaw amendment Nov. 23 that paves the way for the construction of a 56-unit condominium townhouse project on 2.1 acres of land near Little Avenue, adjacent to the GO Transit train line.

As part of the project, a road would be built to connect Little Avenue with Foster Drive.

The city will also permit a setback of 20 metres from the tracks, down from the typical 30.

This development, proposed by 428 Little Inc., includes six affordable housing units.

In the past, residents expressed concern over potential density, increased traffic, townhouse heights, tree preservation and property value depreciation issues. They had suggested that infrastructure upgrades are also needed for Foster Drive and Maclaren Avenue.

The city says it will complete the “urbanization” of the area — sanitary sewer, water main and right-of-way upgrades — within the next decade.

Recently, Mayor Jeff Lehman said this is a “rare case” where a development is proposed in an established area of the city that has yet to be “fully urbanized.”