A developer is asking the City of Owen Sound to increase its maximum apartment building heights, and it sounds like some potential changes could be coming before council.
Van Dolder Developments Operations Manager CJ Palumbi spoke to city councillors during their meeting Monday and asked them to consider changing the city-wide maximum height for apartment buildings to 42 metres, and to align the city’s density policies to support eight to 12 storey builds.
The city’s current cap for apartment buildings in permitted areas is 12 metres. Palumbi told councillors maximum heights are higher in nearby communities and changes to the city’s zoning bylaw and official plan would prevent developers from having to go through the processes of applying for amendment whenever they want to build “up.”
“This goes to anybody who’s building in the area. Wouldn’t it be great to say ‘hey, if you follow this criteria, you can building up to set amount of stories without having to do a planning change,’” Palumbi says.
He spoke about a build planned by Van Dolder Developments at 1301 15th Avenue East in Owen Sound, saying the original plan of a 136-unit L-shape building was much more costly than an eight-storey development offering the same number of units.
“The savings was over 30 per cent. So you’re going from a $70-million build, to a $50-million build,” Palumbi explains. “That’s dramatic.”
Palumbi pointed to affordability as an important reason why Owen Sound should consider increasing its maximum apartment heights.
“It’s way more affordable to go up,” Palumbi says.
He was asked how his company looks at affordability: “We look at affordable housing as being able to create spaces that people who are working class citizens of Owen Sound can afford to live in those spaces.”
Councillors were receptive to the delegation.
“I know other municipalities are building higher and higher, and they certainly have regulations in place,” Coun. Marion Koepke says. “And I don’t disagree, Owen Sound could.”
Deputy Mayor Scott Greig: “I don’t disagree, that Owen Sound should consider something like that.”
Owen Sound’s Director of Community Services Pam Coulter told councillors a report will be brought forward at their March 23 meeting concerning an overall update to the city’s official plan and zoning bylaw.
“Among the changes you’ll see in a few weeks time is around height and density,” Coulter says.