Ten-storey condo near West Harbour GO station gets city nod
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...mended_for_you
A 10-storey condo building near the west harbour rail line on MacNab Street North has the approval of the city’s planning committee.
The developers shaved three storeys from the original plan and reduced the unit count to 89 from 100 after city officials asked for changes last year.
The owners of 282 MacNab St. N., St. Jean Properties Inc. and Durand Development Corporation, also increased setbacks and parking to 66 spots from 51.
“We’re happy to see this, particularly at this time,” Coun. Jason Farr said Tuesday.
The development near the West Harbour GO station and CN Rail line will bring jobs and residents to the downtown during the economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
But a neighbouring church congregation that dates to 1916 hasn’t offered its blessing.
“People are ready for a public protest, taking into consideration that they are not being listened to,” Rev. Lucian Puscariu of the Holy Resurrection Romanian Orthodox Church wrote in a letter to city officials.
In separate letters, Puscariu and Nick Bunu, president of the parish council, say they’re concerned excavation will damage the old church.
They also predict scarce parking during religious functions and worry the church bells will bother future residents.
“I think they would have preferred townhouses, to which I said there’s no way we can do that,” Farr said.
Architect Drew Hauser of McCallumSather told the committee the parking ratio was “dramatically improved” through the revised plan.
He questioned bells being a problem for 282 MacNab residents, noting people already live within earshot of other churches and other noises downtown. “So people that are living in this type of density and urban environment, I think they’re very well aware of where they’re moving to.”
Fellow architect William Neal said the effect of noise and vibrations on the church is a “huge consideration” that will be addressed in the process ahead. “The city has standards for all of that.”
Tuesday’s approval of land-use changes to allow the mid-rise comes with conditions, including consultation with CN and Metrolinx on noise levels.
Hauser said those studies were submitted. The hope is start construction in spring.
The committee’s decision still needs a final nod from council.