Owen Sound City Council will move forward on a request to sell part of an unopened road to a local developer planning a new apartment building.
Barry's Construction wants to build a four-storey, 35-unit residential apartment building on land on the west side of 9th Avenue East, south of 21st Street East.
Director of Community Services Pamela Coulter says the company wants to purchase a portion of the 21st Street East Unopened Road, west of 9th Avenue East
"There's an existing building, a three-story, 23-unit building, so this would be behind it," Coulter explained. "So the developer has requested that the city sell a portion of that road allowance that they would use for parking; otherwise, the lot isn't big enough on its own."
The city will now give notice of intention to stop up and close a portion of the municipal right-of-way. The pedestrian path and the storm sewer are outside of the area subject to potential sale.
"Staff support the request that will allow residential intensification on full services, maximizing the use of land and services with minimal impact on existing infrastructure," stated a report to council. "Public Works and Engineering comments indicate that they can support the sale of the lands provided there are provisions made for an easement (minimum 6 m in width) over the lands."
Counter said there are several next steps in the process.
"So that would be things like getting an appraisal for the lands, getting them surveyed, negotiating an Agreement of Purchase and Sale (APS)," she explained. "That will come forward to Council, as well as any public comments with respect to those notices."
Coulter pointed out that the site and building requirements of the Zoning By-law are generally achieved, and the development would only require a small variance related to building height and floor space.