Traffic study by Harbourside Transportation Consultants from Region of Queens variance appeal agenda

A development on Bristol Avenue in Liverpool will be building more units than initially planned.

The numbered company 4206749 Nova Scotia Limited led by Francis Fares had proposed the construction of 36 units in a building located behind 87 Bristol Ave.

The company no wants to build 45 living spaces within the same footprint by decreasing the size of each unit.

Several neighbours spoke against the increase at a variance appeal meeting held before the most recent Region of Queens council meeting on Tuesday.

They raised concerns that more units would mean increased traffic, less available street parking and impacts on the adjoining waterway.

Under the Region of Queens zoning regulations, the area is zoned R3, which allows high density housing.

Greg Zwicker, a planner with Zzap Consulting spoke via Zoom on behalf of the developer.

Zwicker says he hears the residents’ concerns and is willing to discuss how the development plan answers each one.

But regarding this specific appeal, Zwicker says the building meets all the municipality’s height, parking, yard, setbacks and coastal protections requirements and also respects the buffer from the water.

He says the changes they are requesting are in line with the intent of the Region’s development rules.

“That building as you’ve seen as drawn is permitted in the zone under your land use bylaw and your municipal plan,” said Zwicker. “What we’re asking is to put eight more units in that building.”

Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman says council must follow their own rules in the Land Use Bylaw and Municipal Planning Strategy. And while some neighbours may not be pleased, council had to agree with Zwicker’s interpretation.

“So, the question simply is: have all the requirements been met from the applicant? The height is legal, the footprint is legal, the buffers are legal. The applicant simply wishes to place more smaller units in the size of a building that is legal. That is what council has to consider.”

After some discussion during the council session, councillors voted unanimously to reject the variance appeal, permitting the developer to build the increased number of 45 units.

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Garika Park. Photo: Google Maps

A new 15 unit housing development is being planned for Milton.

At their last meeting, Region of Queens council agreed to sell the former Garika Park lands to developer Eric Fry.

Fry says the new development will be geared towards seniors.

“It’s right at the little waterfall, that dam, so it’s just a gorgeous location. We think it will be a big seller,” said Fry. “My whole background is sales and business development, so we’ll put a package together that I think will be really appealing to a lot of locals and maybe even draw some people in from out of town to help drive the economy a little bit.”

Eric Fry, contributed by Eric Fry

Fry says this is not an affordable housing project with rent expected to land in the range of $1,700 to $1,800 per month.

He anticipates seniors looking downsize from a family home into something smaller and more manageable will be very interested in the development.

“Those folks that are in the local area whether it be Milton or Liverpool that own their homes and they just don’t really have anywhere to go, they don’t want to go all the way to Bridgewater,” said Fry. “They want a place to settle into but a nice, two-bedroom, well-appointed place.”

Fry hasn’t ruled out the possibility of building affordable housing in the future.

He has some experience buying and selling development property in Queens and has enlisted the services of local designer Brydon Huntley to plan the proposed seniors development.

Fry is looking to build 15 1,100 – 1,200 square foot units on the 36,000 square foot location.

Before any work can begin, the property needs to be rezoned and accommodations must be made for a boat launch and fire hydrant on the site.

If all goes well, Fry is hopeful to begin construction in Spring of 2023.

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Twitter: @edwardhalverson

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