Posted Nov 13, 2019, 4:44 AM
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
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It was approved...
Quote:
Niagara Falls Review: 72-storey hotel, residential development approved in Niagara Falls
By Ray Spiteri | November 12, 2019
Niagara Falls city councillors say a 72-storey mixed-use building with hotel and residential units proposed for land on Stanley Avenue will be a "landmark" and "world renowned."
Politicians approved an application from a developer to transform an area that for years has housed a partially-built hotel that was never completed.
The applicant, 6609 Stanley Nominee Inc. (Jeremia Rudan) is proposing to build one of the tallest buildings in Canada. It would eclipse the Hilton Hotel & Suites on Fallsview Boulevard (56 storeys) as the tallest hotel in Niagara Falls.
"I'm delighted to be here today to see what we are going to end up," said Coun. Wayne Thomson.
"This hotel is going to be a five-star hotel. This is a unique building - 275 families living there in their own condo and 487 hotel rooms."
He said the land is zoned tourist commercial and is "exactly where it should be going."
A public meeting was held Tuesday night in council chambers where the applicant received amendments to the city's zoning bylaw and official plan to permit the development of the building and parking garage, which would cover three parcels of land encompassing an area along Stanley Avenue between Dixon and Dunn streets and including Level and Cleveland avenues.
The official plan currently allows for mixed-use buildings up to 30 storeys (90 metres) on the land.
The city approved a plan in April 2000 by Rudan Holdings Ltd. for the 30-storey Crowne Plaza hotel with 300 rooms along with a convention centre, restaurants, stores and underground parking.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks and subsequent drop in tourism impacted the company's ability to get the financial backing it needed to finish the project, The Niagara Falls Review reported at the time. Construction was stopped in 2004.
The stoppage left a two-level concrete foundation with a three-level underground parking garage.
Coun. Mike Strange said he regularly receives emails from tourists and residents complaining about the "eye sore" at the corner of Stanley Avenue and Dunn Street.
He congratulated Rudan and the development team for the current proposal, saying it will be "world renowned."
"It's time we do something with that property," said Strange, describing a video played during the meeting showing what the 72-storey building will look like as "unbelievable."
Coun. Chris Dabrowski said the project will complement other amenities in the area, adding the video gave him "goosebumps" and that the building will become a "landmark hotel."
The city received a petition signed by about 20 people opposed to the size of the development proposal, as well as concerns it will block views for neighbouring properties.
"We are not against this development as the current partially completed structure … has sat vacant for so many years and is an eye sore," reads the accompanying letter.
"What we are against is the plan for a 72-storey building in this area or anywhere else in this city. This height is far too tall and will only add to the concrete wall of hotels already in existence. You allow this one and many more will follow."
In a separate letter sent to the city, resident Heather Ruzylo said bylaws are created for a reason, yet "there are always developers seeking amendments."
"Now, I can understand someone asking for a minor variance of 10 per cent, or even up to 20 per cent, but the one requested by 6609 Stanley Nominee Inc. is nearly 150 per cent. That is way too much and should not be approved."
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