Jan 26 public meeting to review Locust/Elgin site plan

City planning staff are now in receipt of the Application for Site Plan Approval proposing the redevelopment of the property at the corner of Locust St. and Elgin St.Site plan approval does not come through city council, but is designated to staff for approval. There is no requirement for public consultation, but the developer has agreed to a public meeting to share the plans with the community.I will be hosting a public meeting to share the site plan with residents on Tues. Jan. 26 , 7pm, City Hall, 426 Brant St., 2nd Floor, Room 247. City planning staff and representations from Landform Development Group Inc will be in attendance.

Landform is proposing a 4 storey mixed use building that will contain 37 residential apartments and 500 m2 of office and commercial space at grade.  There will also be two levels of underground parking.  The entrance to the garage is from Locust Street.

Called Saxony, the development has been the subject of several public meetings, and has been modified based on resident and city staff feedback. Staff is still working with the applicant on some aspects of the development, but staff believe overall the proposal is a reasonable one.The historic building on the property (the “Bastedo House”) will be preserved and moved to 470 Maple Ave. Though not a designated heritage building, when planning staff reviewed the building they determined it was worthy of designation, and recommended that happen. There have been discussions about asking the owner to designate the building once it is relocated. On Oct. 26, the Committee of Adjustment approved several variances to accommodate the relocation.