Northern Ontario developments!

[russman]

Prince Arthur's Landing construction can begin



By Jamie Smith tbnewswatch

The first phase of construction at Prince Arthur’s Landing can now begin unobstructed after a green light from the Ministry of the Environment Wednesday afternoon. In a letter to the city, environment minister John Gerretsen said he is denying two requests for an individual environmental assessment made by city residents including Friends of the Marina Park Aug.13.

The requests had delayed construction on the waterfront. Project manager Katherine Dugmore said she’s happy that construction can begin. MOE officials had said the process could slow down the project by up to three years if an assessment was done.

"I think the mayor said it best," said Dugmore. "I just got a message on the telephone that said ‘woo-hoo!’."

Dugmore said that fencing contractors, civil work contractors and marine works contractors had already been onsite waiting to start construction. After a construction meeting Thursday morning, she said the first phase will begin. Dugmore said delays in the project would have jeopardized millions of dollars in stimulus funding that has a deadline.

"We have $30 million of construction infrastructure funding available to us until March 2011 so every moment we can spend in the ground now gives us access to that funding," Dugmore said. "After 2011 we won’t have access to that funding."

Friends of the Marina Park could not be reached for comment.

http://tbnewswatch.com/news/Default.aspx?cid=67038

[F. Lionel]

"I think the mayor said it best," said Dugmore. "I just got a message on the telephone that said ‘woo-hoo!’."

While I may not agree with all the things that the woman has said and done during her term as Mayor I have to agree that this sums it all up best.

Hopefully this is the largest (and final) nail in the coffin of the "Friends of Marina Park."

[vid]

Originally Posted by russman

If that is where they are building the terminal, you heard it from me first. Out of curiosity's sake, what were on those lots originally and when were they demolished? That whole block is like a war zone.

I'm not sure what was originally there, but I'm pretty sure they've been vacant since the 1950s. It was at least before 1969 according to this image. The lots on Simpson between Dease and Finlayson were also empty at that time, I think they were a used car dealership at some point. In that photo, both lots are vacant!

Also, .

[tjernobyl]

As per http://hotrodsandjalopies.blogspot.com/2009/05/slow.html posted may 29th, 2009

Later on Albert [Bahlieda] ran a service station on the corner or May and Cummings for many years, across from the present day Superior Bowling alley. There are no buildings at the service station site at the present time.

I'm assuming this is the lot in question. There's another vacant lot on the NE corner of that intersection, but that was an apartment building that burned down just a few years ago.

[ccnews]

just a few things happening around my area



Tom Jones has erected a security fence around the Braun building, (Lakehead University) they have been hired as the General Project Manager by the Insurance company to oversee the restoration of the Braun.

the James street underpass has been torn up and re surfaced

the footings have been framed and poured for the new
mechanical workshop being built for Venshore Mechanical on the former Winston Hall site, corner of Montreal and Mountdale streets

[russman]

What in the heck happened to this lot on Water Street?

Here's Yahoo images from 2001 or so
http://ca.maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=s&lat=48.424539&lon=-89.231226&zoom=18

And Google images from around 2007
http://maps.google.ca/maps?client=firefo...,-89.231129&spn=0.003225,0.0078&t=k&z=17

Looks almost like something was planned to be built, so they excavated the land but it was canceled?

[vid]

They harvested topsoil. I think they're still selling it. I have no idea what plans there might be for that site aside from that.

[F. Lionel]

Originally Posted by vid

They harvested topsoil. I think they're still selling it. I have no idea what plans there might be for that site aside from that.

I think Arnone's has some great hope that a developer will buy it up for a premium. I think its eventual fate (at least in the short term) is an extension of Arnone's trailer parking.

Lots of roadwork going on in Parkdale right now - part of Weeler Blvd, Deer ct. and the rest of Reindeer Avenue seem to be under construction right now. Slowly Parkdale is growing. I wonder what will be the next section they develop? Nearer to the Expressway along Cougar Cres. or extending Porcupine west into the wilderness?
There is a space designated for a school along Cougar when they finally start construction. Want to take bets about how much of a fight there will be to build that school if it ends up closing Edgewater?

[eternallyme]

10-digit local dialing and a new area code to come to northern Ontario

http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEASES/2009/r091006.htm

OTTAWA-GATINEAU —The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that effective March 12, 2011, 10-digit local dialing will be required for all local calls in the 705 area code region of northern Ontario. The CRTC also announced that a new area code, 249, would be introduced in this region.

Today’s decision will provide sufficient time for telephone companies to prepare and to effectively inform their customers of these changes.

The transition to 10-digit dialing will begin on January 15, 2011, and will be gradually introduced over the following weeks. It will become mandatory by March 12, 2011.

To prevent the exhaustion of telephone numbers in the 705 area code region, new telephone numbers assigned as of March 19, 2011, may be given area code 249. This means that customers seeking new telephone numbers could be given a number starting with area code 249. Existing customers will keep their current area code and phone numbers.

These measures are being implemented in response to the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA) report to the CRTC in March of this year. In its report, the CNA warned that area code 705 is expected to run out of telephone numbers by October 2012.

Telecom Decision CRTC 2009-622

The CRTC
The CRTC is an independent public authority that regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada.

- 30 -

Media Relations:
MediaRelations, Tel: 819-997-9403, Fax: 819-997-4245

General Inquiries:
Tel: 819-997-0313, TDD: 819-994-0423, Fax: 819-994-0218
Toll-free # 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
TDD - Toll-free # 1-877-909-CRTC (2782)
Ask a question or make a complaint

These documents are available in alternative format upon request.

[vid]

Originally Posted by F. Lionel

There is a space designated for a school along Cougar when they finally start construction. Want to take bets about how much of a fight there will be to build that school if it ends up closing Edgewater?

They won't build that school for a decade at least. I think Edgewater will be closed before they build that one. There is also a school lot in River Terrace that I don't think will be developed any time soon. Is River Terrace done or are they going to add a bit more in the southernmost part just north of the hospital? Some of the streets look like they've been designed to continue past the southern edge.

[tjernobyl]

It's zoned RF1 / Residential Future, so they could squeeze in a bit more between there and the creek if they wanted.

[F. Lionel]

Of course - It could end up being a separate school in Parkdale. Or a French language school (french catholic or french public) in either Parkdale or River Terrace.

I suspect that development in River Terrace will probably move into those areas nearer the hospital. I would be willing to bet that new housing lots (call it River Terrace Phase 3) will be made available on the other side of Golf Links Road, especially after the conservation authority moves into it's new offices near Intercity

There are so many unfinished suburban developments in Thunder Bay that need to fill up. In the north there are Sherwood and Dawson Heights West. Of course there is Parkdale which is still growing at a moderate pace. There are a number of half full developments around the south end of the city as well though - Fairview Terrace, Mount Forest, Tuxedo-Kettle Creek, Oakridge, and the Mapleward Lots. Not to mention King George's Park in Rosslyn. Didn't the city declare a moratorium on new housing developments a few years back?

[softee]

Developer hopes to build condos on Cartier St.
Seeks to rezone to property behind J.W. Trusler school

By Gord Young, North Bay Nugget

The city’s planning advisory committee will consider a rezoning application tonight to make way for a significant apartment-style condominium proposal on Cartier Street across from J.W. Trusler Public School.

The site was subject to a previous rezoning application in 2005 that generated objections from the neighbourhood. The property, which is about 1.2 hectares, abuts Highway 11.

The land is zoned residential multiple second density which permits semi-detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, double duplexes and multiple dwellings.

The applicant hopes to have the property rezoned to residential multiple sixth density special, which is the highest density zoning permitted in the city, allowing for apartment dwellings. A schedule attached to the application shows three proposed condo towers on the property.

A previous proposal in 2005 would have seen a mix of townhouses and double duplexes. But neighbours at that time had indicated a lack of sidewalks on the street would add to the danger children might face.

One letter suggested the development would add as many as 120 residents, with predictions of three or four college or university students sharing units.

[vid]

Originally Posted by F. Lionel

Didn't the city declare a moratorium on new housing developments a few years back?

According to the official plan there are ||||| Community Plans, which are the suburban neighbourhoods that the city is growing. Aside from the existing city, these fill in the Urban Service Area, the maximum extent of urban density as far as the official plan is concerned. (after which point they will either focus on density or expand again, the latter is unlikely I think.)

Parkdale, bounded by Arthur, Shabaqua, the Expressway and Mapleward, planned to house 28,000 people and it will have an urban core. (I doubt it will ever happen though.)

Northwest (or Sherwood Estates), which starts at Paquette Road/Northwest Arterial, continuing southeast on Dawson Road, then southwest along the hydro corridor, then south down Valley Street, a short part southwest down Fassina, then continuing south on Valley Street/John Street, then southwest down the Expressway, then east along the McIntyre River, then south down Golf Links Road to the Northwest Arterial right of way, then north along for about 20m, then on an angle ~300° (NW) for about 50m to the Spencer Road right of way (which continues to Oliver, but is unopened) then north to the McIntyre River to John Street Road, then north along an unopened road allowance between Belrose and Woodcrest (the western edge of Sunflower/Mayflower area) then east along the Hutton Park road allowance, then north along Woodcrest and along an unopened road allowance to what currently forms the north end of Sherwood park, then due east to the Northwest Arterial road allowance, then to the point of beginning. It was obviously expanded a bit to include phase 8 or 9 or whatever of Sherwood Estates. Around this is a suburban development area, which is similar to what most of Neebing is today. That starts at an unopened road allowance perpendicular to Belrose, about a half kilometre north of Oliver, runs east about 200m, then north about 50m, then east to Golf Links Road, then North on Golf Links Road following the western boundary of the urban service area, then from Dawson Road and Paquette Road/Northwest Arterial, then west along Paquette Road to Belrose Road, then south to the point of beginning. This area isn't in the urban service area, but the service area has been expanded over part of it so it might be expanded again. This area is supposed to be designed to hold about 12,000 people. (I doubt that will happen, either.)

Dawson Heights, bounded by Dawson Road and Hilldale Road with its western limit starting at Dawson Road and Paquette Road, north to the invisible line that forms the backlot line between Tuscany and Fenwood, east to Hilldale. I think this was expanded north a bit. It also has suburban density areas surrounding it but those are not defined in the community plan.

Fairview, between 20th Sideroad and Fairview Road, between the CP Rail ROW and Arthur Street.

I'll post a map later. (I like maps.)

"residential multiple sixth density special" - sounds Chinese. "Sixth Density Special Condo Area". What are the limits on that zone type? Our highest (RM3B) allows a maximum height of only 45m.

[softee]

Wow, this is better than I'd imagined, but I'm not going to get my hopes up too much, I've been burned too many times in the past.
I don't actually know what the limits are on that zone type, but it can obviously include buildings up to 15 storeys high. haha

City starts process for Cartier St. condos

By JENNY POTTER, THE NUGGET

The city's planning advisory committee started the process Wednesday to rezone land on Cartier Street to develop what would be the tallest residential building in North Bay.

The proposal will be referred to planning staff for a report that will come back to the committee for approval.

The proposal is for two condominium buildings set on a 1.2-hectare site on Cartier Street across from J. W. Trusler Public School, backing on Highway 11.

Professional planner Paul Goodridge, representing developers 2023725 Ontario Ltd., seeks to have the site rezoned to residential multiple sixth density special zone, which would permit the planned condos.

The proposal for the site includes one 10-storey condo building with 194 units that would be built in two phases. The third phase is a 15-storey condominium with 117 units, which would be the tallest building in the city.

The community objected in 2005, when it was proposed that the site be rezoned to permit semi-detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, double duplexes and multiple dwellings. Goodridge said the plan at that time was student housing, but the new proposal includes affordable and higher end units.

The site would accommodate 170 above-ground parking spots, with more parking underground.

The only concern raised by a neighbour Wednesday was increased traffic. A study will be completed to examine the effects of an influx of traffic.

The added traffic and lack of sidewalks was an issue for neighbours during the proposal in 2005. Adding sidewalks could be a possibility to increase safety.

They've tried to accommodate some of the concerns of the community proactively," Goodridge said.

[vid]

(Click on them.)

The red dashed line is the Urban Service Area limit. In the Northwest neighbourhood it heads east along Hutton Park to Woodcrest then North but I included the new phase in Sherwood Estates and a little bit north of there as I imagine the plan has been altered since that subdivision was approved.

The green line with a dashed black line inside is the limits of the Community Plan Areas, there are four of them, three inside the USA (it's weird saying that).

Note that both maps include roads that are proposed but not yet built.

The first map is showing the locations of CPAs in the context of present land use patterns. The second map is showing the locations of CPAs in the context of residential land use zones.

The dark pink areas on the second map are urban areas, the main city. The medium pink is suburban subdivisions, they're less dense than the main urban area. The light pink areas are suburban estates, very low density residential areas. Note that the CPAs are highlighted and so the colours don't match properly--within a CPA, medium pink is urban, light pink is suburban and very light pink is estates. Note that the dark pink "urban area" includes many adjacent commercial/industrial areas.

===

At the Leon's site, they appear to be preparing a foundation of some sort. They've dug a large rectangular hole about 1.5m deep.

[softee]

September was busy with new housing construction
Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Plenty of housing starts got underway in September locally. Canada Mortgage and Housing reporting 102 units got started last month -- that's a 466 percent jump over September 2008. And North Bay also saw the most new home construction last month out of all of the major cities in the Northeast. In fact, the local stats accounted for 68 percent of the new construction in the region. CMHC says there were 23 single family starts, 2 semi-detached, 10 row houses and 67 apartments. Year to date there's been 165 new housing starts which is up about 80 percent over last year's figures.

Written by: [email protected]

[Gitfiddler]

The Library and Technology Centre in Fort Frances is coming along nicely:

[vid]

The Red Rock Inn has burned down:



Very sad. This is the third historic hotel to burn down in the area this year. (Dorion Inn and Normandie Inn in Nipigon the other two.)

City Hall's re-dedication ceremony is November 3.

[eternallyme]

Originally Posted by vid

The Red Rock Inn has burned down:



Very sad. This is the third historic hotel to burn down in the area this year. (Dorion Inn and Normandie Inn in Nipigon the other two.)

City Hall's re-dedication ceremony is November 3.

Were any of them due to arsons? Seems like a possible connection between them...