Printed Feb 05, 2025 • Final up to date 2 days in the past • 3 minute learn
Norfolk County is making ready to make 5 parcels of land on Pond Avenue and Argyle Avenue in Simcoe obtainable for redevelopment. Among the many websites on the market is a Nineteenth-century brick constructing that has served varied functions through the years, most lately housing the Simcoe Seniors’ Centre and different group teams. Photograph by JACOB ROBINSON / Ontario Chronicle
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The primary of many steps was taken on Tuesday towards Norfolk County making 5 parcels of riverfront land on Pond and Argyle streets in Simcoe obtainable for redevelopment.
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The land is about 3.4 acres in dimension and consists of parking heaps, open house and vacant former industrial buildings.
At a public listening to committee assembly, councillors acquired as info a report from county employees with particulars of proposed official plan and zoning bylaw amendments that may make method for brand spanking new growth.
The adjustments would permit a spread of non-residential makes use of throughout the present buildings and websites at 87-129 Pond Avenue, 73 Victoria St. and an unaddressed property on Pond Avenue. As well as, it could permit for flats with a restricted vary of non-residential makes use of on the bottom ground and a parking zone at 86 Argyle St.
“It’s really to provide a catalyst (for downtown revitalization) on these properties that you own,” stated Michael Keene, a land use planner with Fotenn Planning, which was employed by the county. “There are no set plans on how these might develop. Rather, the work we’ve done is testing scenarios to open up your official plan and zoning to try to put these under-utilized county properties into better use for the county.
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“Future applications would have to occur, whether those are initiated by the county or whether you partner with developers. Those have not been entertained at this time. This is the first step of a multi-step process.”
Since issuing a submission of curiosity in 2021 to discover potential use for these properties, Norfolk County has continued to analyze the way forward for the websites.
Choices for the Pond Avenue location embrace the adaptive re-use of the prevailing buildings on the location for a spread of downtown makes use of, resembling retail, service, workplace, institutional, cultural and industrial house. Residential use isn’t attainable as a result of the property is throughout the floodplain.
A Nineteenth century constructing at 89 Pond St., as soon as dwelling to the Mitt and Glove Co., has been used for varied functions through the years, however has been vacant for a while.
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A part of the plan, stated Keene, is to “get that building back into use for you.”
Throughout the river, the Argyle Avenue property, which is related to the path community, “is intended to be positioned to allow for needed apartment development near the downtown, along with the potential to reserve some public parking space,” stated a information launch issued by the county final month. The bottom ground might be used for a spread of non-residential makes use of, together with a daycare, laundromat or restaurant.
Frank Gelinas, a member of the board of administrators for Simcoe Group Houses, spoke to councillors in regards to the want for one in every of its buildings – Lynn View Terrace — to retain parking house.
Residents of Lynn View Terrace, a 56-unit, four-storey residence, which presents rent-geared-to-income housing for seniors at 85 Argyle St., is straight throughout the road from the topic lands. Residents have been utilizing parking spots at 86 Argyle for near 40 years.
Gelinas stated initially there was a lease settlement for parking with the City of Simcoe that lapsed a few years in the past. However he requested council to think about addressing residents’ parking wants in its plans.
“We’d also consider joining with a future developer to provide affordable housing on the lot,” stated Gelinas.
County employees will put together a report with a advice on the zoning and official plan adjustments, which might be thought-about by council at a future assembly.
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