Tough Sell

Kevric Real Estate Corp rolled out a planning consultant and the architect of its proposed Liberty Village commercial development in a community meeting last night and, if community feedback was any indication, they face sizable challenges in getting their Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendment application approved by the city. (Also, according to community feedback, the people would like for kids to stop skateboarding in the street.) The company wants to build two new buildings within existing surface parking lot areas at 99 Atlantic Avenue and 40 Hanna Ave, with retail and service commercial uses at grade. There would also be a restaurant component on site. In the image is architect Nicola Casciato, consultant Mike Bissett, and Aviva Pelt, from the city’s planning department.

They would also renovate the heritage buildings on the property for office and retail. At the core of their plan is the eight-storey office building off of Atlantic, plus mechanical on the roof. The area has a 28-metre height restriction—around six storeys. Aviva says the proposal is currently winding through the planning department, and she expects it to be put in front of council for a vote in August, if things go smoothly. Neighbourhood residents there last night expressed real opposition to the proposed eight-storey buildings height, a 15k SF restaurant, and plans for retail. “The city does say 'no' to a lot of projects,” Ward 19 councillor Mike Layton told the crowd.