In an attempt to push forward with an eightplex on Hilltop Drive, planning consultant John Gallagher and his client, Shane Frame, were back before Huntsville’s planning committee on Tuesday, asking its members to approve a conditional site plan for the property.
Some of the outstanding conditions include finalization of the merging of the two lots on which the eightplex will be located at 8 and 10 Hilltop Drive, a servicing agreement with the District and a bonusing agreement with the Town for an additional unit in exchange for making four of the bottom units completely accessible, as well as a storm water management plan.
Gallagher asked that the remaining issues be delegated to staff and that the committee approve the site plan conditional on those remaining issues being met. But staff was recommending that the site plan approval be put on hold until it became clear that the storm water management plan—which had only recently been submitted to the municipality and was still being reviewed by staff—would not significantly impact the site’s design.
Gallagher, however, told committee that timing was of the essence. He also said a swale in the rock retaining wall at the rear of the property line “is picking up the drainage, so I don’t see that changing significantly by any means.”
He said the proponent has been working with staff and has made several enhancements to the project including “a significant amount of coniferous and deciduous trees” along the front and rear property line. He said fencing was also being proposed to separate the higher-density use of the building from single residential homes to the east and west of the property. He said the parking lot would consist of a special permeable surface which would mitigate potential runoff. Gallagher also told committee that the design of the building has been revamped and will include a new timber frame and cedar-shaped gable end as part of its façade, “which actually creates a nice aesthetic appearance and brings the building profile down visually. The colours are dark so as to blend in with the natural environment and just due to the fact that this will be a brand new building, (it) will also have that appearance of new and clean,” he said, also adding that all the lighting will be dark-sky compliant.
Gallagher told committee that its decision would determine whether tenants could begin moving into the building as early as this summer, or whether they’d have to wait another year. He said based on personal experience, when a rental unit was recently put on the market, within an hour as many as 50 prospective residents called to inquire. “That’s how bad the demand is for residential (housing) in this town. So the sooner we can get these up, I think the better for all,” he said. “As you are aware, there’s no meeting come December that this could be brought back to, which would push it into January and if it gets into January then they’re basically waiting until after half load (restrictions) are off in the end of May to start construction.”
Huntsville Mayor Scott Aitchison made a special appearance at the committee and joined the discussion. “I think the most important thing for the developer is to make sure that they can get at least started on this project—foundations in before frost sets in and all that kind of stuff,” he said.
In the end, committee unanimously approved the conditional site plan. Councillor Bob Stone, who has historically opposed the project due to its density in a residential neighbourhood, also voted in favour of it.
“I was quite vocal about this particular application but I would just like to say that I am very pleased with the proposed plantings and the aesthetics of the building,” said Stone.
Committee chair and Councillor Nancy Alcock said she is pleased with the parking surface and said, “I wish we were doing that with all of our projects.”
Related story: Eightplex on Hilltop Drive gets council approval
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Rob Millman says
Without prejudice, I feel that the Mayor (as a real estate agent) should recuse himself from any discussions that involve increasing the store of buildings in town; even rentals. Instead, to attend this particular meeting (again), he is applying subtle pressure in favour of the developer. That this is also in the face of disapproval from Town staff, begs the question “Why do we retain highly-salaried planners, only to ignore their expert advice?”
Ian Gibbard says
Well said Rob, It appears that the planning committee have their own agenda regardless of the advice that we the taxpayers are paying for.
Michael Lowe says
Interesting. The Mayor was also involved in another development where a developer wanted to have access using the private street Legacy Lane. This street enters Centre Street at a very dangerous intersection and is used by the seniors at Chartwell seniors home plus two other developments. To put more traffic on this intersection would be a disaster. Last night there was a three car accident at this intersection. There will be more. The Mayor appeared to favour the developer in this situation as well even though the Planning Committee wanted to do more investigation and seemed nervous about allowing this access. There is more to this story but once again the Mayor gets involved. Development seems to be his primary interest. Safety and public interest are secondary. He is, of course, in the real estate business.