Two developments planned for Owen Sound's east side are a step closer to reality after clearing hurdles at city council this week.
At its meeting on Monday, city council approved a draft plan and zoning by-law amendment for the Andpet Realty residential subdivision development at 16th Avenue East — near 10th Street — and also received a report for a proposed commercial development by Heritage Grove on 16th Street East.
The residential development by Andpet will include 331 units. According to a city staff report, it is a mixed-use build and will feature 10 semi-detached homes, 17 street front townhouses, 52 cluster townhouse units, 120 apartment units and a 132 unit senior's residence and long-term care facility.
Andpet co-owner Peter Van Dolder says servicing to the site will likely be done this fall with housing construction starting in spring 2020.
Meanwhile, the commercial development proposed by Heritage Grove is for a hotel, six restaurants and a gas bar which will include a convenience store and quick-serve restaurant with a drive-thru.
It will be for the vacant lot on 16th Street East near the plaza that houses retailers such as Winners, Homesense, Michael's, Princess Auto and Value Village.
Councillors heard at Monday's meeting this proposed build remains in the early stages of the planning process.
A public meeting will be held August 12 concerning the commercial development proposal.
Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy calls the east-side developments exciting news for the city. He says Owen Sound is starting to see the results of efforts by council since 2014 to try and attract investment and make it easier for developers to come here.
Some of those initiatives include the development charge holiday for residential builders in Owen Sound and the expansion of the trunk sanitary sewer to the Sydenham Heights Planning Area.
Boddy acknowledges the increased development activity in the city speaks to implied growth for Owen Sound.
“These developers all know what they're doing,” Boddy explains. “They all know their markets and they see the growth coming and they're getting ready for it.”
