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HB NEWS MCGIBBON CONDO ZONING APPROVED BY TOWN COUNCIL APPROVAL BRINGS YEARS OF UNCERTAINTY TO A CLOSE MELANIE HENNESSEY mhennessey@ metroland.com Plans for a 10-storey condominit mn the for- mer McGibbon Hotel site have received a stamp of approval by town council, bringing years of uncer- tainty about the downtown Georgetown property to a g their iw amendment for the pe from Amico, which took over the pro- ject last year, intending to erecta 169-unit building on the site at the northeast corner of Main and Mill streets. The structure will in- clude 49 one-bedroom units, 108 two-bedroom condos and 12 three-bed- room units, with the ¢ devel oper indicating tl smaller units will vl for under $500,000. There will also be 361 square metres of retail space on the gonna floor of the build- he condo project pas been years in th Plans were first put fork in 2015 by Silvercreek Commercial Builders, which had intended to build an 11-storey, 125-unit building with 1,200 square metres of retail space on the prominent downtown Ss. The Ontario Municipal Board went on to issue an order in 2017 to allow for a 10-storey building, but Sil- vercreek was forced tocan- cel the project in 2018 after being unable to achieve suitable financing. ex- pressing * nets enthusiasm over finally being able t to move the project "It's vitally aaa to have people downtown, and to enhance the vibran- cy and activity in that ar- ea," said Ward 4 Coun. Ann Lawlor during the council meeting. "I think it's im- portant that we move with this." She noted she's happy to see that some of the units will sell for under $500,000 —aprice point she said the municipality is "desper- ately in need of" in today's costly housing market. The sentiment was ech- oed by Coun. Jane Fogal, who commended Amico for planning some smaller, more affordable units in OFF A WHOLE HOME SYSTEM NO PAYMENTS UNTIL 2022! Q 5 Mountainview Rd N, Georgetown & (905) 877-6242 www.culligan.com | info@culliganwater.ca the building. "It's also a form on in- tensification, which we are joking for, so that's a posi- she said. Moya Johnson said. while she's objected to the height and scale of the building from the beginning, she accepts and respects the decision made by the OMB, and thinks the design put forth by Amico fits better with the character of the down- town. Mayor Rick Bonnette said he also favours the current design and voiced his general support for the roject. "I think once this “ built, downtown Geor; town will be vibrant for years to come," he said. Other aspects of Ami- co's plans that were high- lighted at council include: - Four auto-share spac- es in the building's parking Town of Halton Hills photo An architectural drawing of the planned McGibbon condo in downtown Georgetown. garage that will contain vehicles residents can rent when needed. The concept is intended to offset a duction in resident park. ing spaces. Each unit will be as- signed one parking spot, which will include an op- tional bicycle rack at the front of the space for those interested. An additional 29 spots will be made avail- able for households that o Z have two vehicles, and 26 8 spaces will be marked for 3 3 visitors/retail shoppers. HH municipal parking lot be- hind the building to Mill[ Street. z +The upper two floors of 4 the Main Street facade will 2 be preserved ant on- & structed us’ 0 1 § ginal brick from the McGibbon & Hotel, while the Mill Street 1» facade will be reconstruct- ed with replica brick. 8 One local resident, Jim Waldbusser, attended the virtual council meeting to share his thoughts on the condo plans. He said the size, mass and density of the project were a concern during the OMB hearing and “contin. ue to be a concern," but he noted that he's pleased with th to ‘in roject, https://bit.ly/3Dqqq5G. Deanna Ball Sales Representative 647-821-2301 www.deannaball.com PROUD GOLD SPONSOR OF HILLSBURGH ERIN SKATE CLUB PESTS GU GOLD Specializing in Town & Country Homes! a HTT ROYAL LEPAG! be 000001 £y iRD2020 Meadowtowne Realty. tase eordyouy