Building Proposals - Under Review

Latest updates from the Town of Oakville website include:

September 2024

Oakville residents – Oakville Public Library wants to hear from you!
 

Share your ideas and help shape the future of the New Central Branch. Take the survey at bit.ly/NewCentralSurvey. 

To learn about New Central Branch, slated to open in 2028, visit opl.ca/NewCentral

Residents are also invited to attend an New Central Project Open House on October 2nd from 5-8 at Central Branch. The Open House is a drop-in event that  invites residents to learn more about the project, share their hopes and expectations for the New Central Library and interact with library executives and architects from Perkins&Will. 

May 14, 2024

The Town of Oakville and Oakville Public Library (OPL) will begin exploring amenities, programs and services for the new central library branch in downtown Oakville in June. Details on how to participate, will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information, visit the OPL's New Central Branch page. 

Timeline

June 2024

Research and design begin for a new Oakville Public Library Central Branch.

Comprehensive architectural design phase of the library's new Central Branch is anticipated to take about a year and will include downtown parking needs and public consultation at key milestones.

2025

New Central Branch library, performing arts centre design feasibility study, conceptual plans for public spaces and parking needs assessments.

Oakville Public Library new Central Branch

• Oakville Public Library's (OPL) new Central Branch is a visionary project set to redefine Oakville community's cultural and learning landscape. As a step in the Town of Oakville’s long term Downtown Cultural Hub plans, OPL’s new Central Branch will be nestled in the heart of old Oakville, at 193 Church Street.

Centre for the Performing Arts

• Design feasibility study will continue to verify the needs of the performing arts centre and where improvements can be made at the current site. 
• Downtown parking needs analysis will be completed with a forecast into parking needs for the future. 

Public Spaces

• Conceptual plans for the Centennial Square redevelopment, Navy Street Plaza and      Riverfront Park. 
• Downtown parking needs and property assessment.

Capital planning to begin in 2023 pending Budget approval. Read update here.

The Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts Feasibility Study is currently underway and will provide recommendations as to whether the facility can be renovated and expanded or rebuilt on its existing site. See Staff Reports and Related Studies here.

Towne Square is an important space for the business community and residents.  The proposed Towne Square improvements are on hold, pending approval of the 2022 capital budget. No work is planned for the 2021 calendar year.  Read more here.

The OPL aspires to be the destination in Oakville to learn, create, be and work. The 2022-2024 Strategic Plan and updated mission, vision, and values will help us get there. Read more here.

The number of stories remains in flux.

There has been a change of ownership and the new Developer will have until 2023 to fulfill obligations. The number of stories remains in flux

 Moved by Councillor Janet Haslett-Theall

1. That the proposed Zoning By-law Amendment application submitted by JRB – 109 Reynolds Holdings LP – JRB Developments (File No. Z. 1613.61), be approved on the basis that the application is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement, conforms with all applicable Provincial plans, the Region of Halton Official Plan, the Livable Oakville Plan, has regard for matters of Provincial interest, and represents good planning for the reasons outlined in the report from the Planning Services department dated August 26, 2020.
2. That By-law 2020-043 an amendment to Zoning By-law 2014-014, be passed.
3. That the notice of Council’s decision reflects that Council has fully considered all of the written and oral submissions relating to these matters and that those comments have been appropriately addressed.
4. That, in accordance with Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, no further notice is determined to be necessary.
5. That the site plan for the proposed development be designed in accordance with the urban design requirements in Appendix ‘B’ of the report from the Planning Services Department dated August 26, 2020.

Note: the illustration shown is a preliminary "conceptual design" only.

Notice of Meeting

Proposed Zoning By-law Amendment

109 Reynolds Street

 JRB-109 Reynolds Holdings LP-JRB Developments

File No. Z.1613.61, Ward 3

Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. 

Videoconference broadcast from the Council Chamber

Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road 

youtube.com/TownofOakvilleTV 

You are invited to attend and provide input at this videoconferencing meeting hosted by Planning and Development Council.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY attendance at Town Hall is restricted and public meetings are being held by videoconference only. Instructions on how to view the meeting or participate by written submission, videoconference or telephone are provided below. 

The Planning Services department will be presenting a recommendation report with respect to this development proposal at this meeting. 

Staff will be making a recommendation on a Zoning By-law Amendment application submitted to amend the maximum height provision of four storeys to a maximum of eight storeys, which is in keeping with the intent of the Main Street 2 land use designation and permits the implementation of the bonusing provisions in the Livable Oakville Plan.

The effect of the amendment would permit an eight storey building with 21 residential units. 

The subject land is located east of Reynolds Street, south of Church Street. 

There is a Site Plan application (File No. SP1613.108/01) that pertains to this matter. 

If a person or public body would otherwise have an ability to appeal the decision of the Town of Oakville to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal but the person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to Council c/o the Town Clerk at the Town of Oakville, Clerk’s department, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6H 0H3 (Dropbox is located in front of Town Hall) or at TownClerk@oakville.ca before the by-law is passed, the person or public body is not entitled to appeal the decision. 

If a person or public body does not make oral submissions at a public meeting, or make written submissions to Council c/o the Town Clerk at the Town of Oakville, Clerk’s department, before the bylaw is passed, the person or public body may not be added as a party to the hearing of an appeal before the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal unless, in the opinion of the Tribunal, there are reasonable grounds to do so.

If you wish to be notified of the decision of the Town of Oakville on the proposed zoning by-law amendment, you must make a written request to the Town Clerk at the Town of Oakville, Clerk’s department, 1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6H 0H3 or at TownClerk@oakville.ca 

This meeting will be live streamed on YouTube at youtube.com/TownofOakvilleTV 

Any submission to the Planning and Development Council, either in hard copy or in electronic format, must be forwarded to the Clerk's department for receipt no later than noon on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, to ensure its availability to the Members of Council at the meeting. Individuals making oral submissions at the public meeting are requested to contact the Clerk’s Department as early as possible prior to the meeting at TownClerk@oakville.ca or 905-815-6015 to obtain instructions on how to participate. 

All submissions should include the full name and address of the presenter. 

For more information about this matter, including information about preserving your appeal rights, you may: view the information on the Town’s website at https://www.oakville.ca/business/da-34643.html, or contact Tricia Collingwood, Senior Planner, Planning Services department at 905-845-6601, ext. 3833 (TTY 905-338-4200) or at tricia.collingwood@oakville.ca 

If you have any accessibility needs, please advise Tricia Collingwood one week before the meeting. 

The personal information accompanying your submission is being collected under the authority of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, as amended, and may form part of the public record which may be released to the public. 

Dated at the Town of Oakville August 14, 2020 

A Development Application has been submitted for a Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Approval to develop an 8-storey condo on 109 Reynolds St. (corner of Church & Reynolds). The property is in the Downtown Growth Area. The owner of the land is the JRB Group and the architect is Architects Alliance. 

The proposed development consists of a 21-unit residential condominium development within an 8-storey building (the original plan was for 25 units). The smallest unit is 1,300 ft2and the largest unit is 3,129 ft2. Ceilings will be 10 ft. with the ground floor 16.5 ft. The 15.7 ft. mechanical room is not included in the height. There are 31 parking spots (27 for 21 owners and 4 for visitors) and lockers have been included in the plan.

Jonathan Bowman has been proactive in keeping TCRA Directors apprised of the development.  He is an exceptional Oakville developer.

TCRA Directors are still concerned with the overall height of the total building.  

Double Diamond Capital Inc.

Site Plan Application

150 Randall Street, 125 Navy Street and 143 to 147 Church Street
Description

Proposed development consists of one 12-storey mixed-used building having retail uses on the ground floor (1,107.69 sq.m.) fronting Navy and Church Streets, 293 residential units (Floors 2-12) with the principal entrance from Navy Street near the corner of Randall Street, 382 parking spaces within an enclosed parking garage (4 levels) accessed from Randall Street, and 33 bicycle parking spaces enclosed within the ground floor.

The zoning is in place, however the building is for sale. 

The Planning Services department will be presenting a recommendation report with respect to this  development proposal at this meeting. 

A Zoning By-law Amendment application has been submitted to amend the maximum height provision of  four storeys to a maximum of twelve storeys, which is in keeping with the intent of the Urban Core land  use designation within the Livable Oakville Plan. The effect of the amendment would permit a twelve storey, mixed use building on the site, bringing the  zoning for the lands into conformity with the Livable Oakville Plan.  The subject land is south of Randall Street, east of Navy Street, north of Church Street.  

Videoconference broadcast from the Council Chamber Town Hall, 1225 Trafalgar Road  youtube.com/TownofOakvilleTV 

On Thursday October 8th, a Public Consultation Meeting was held on ZOOM for a new 12-storey mixed-use residential/commercial building on the corners of Navy and Randall and Navy and Church Streets.

TCRA supports the proposal in principle, expecting it to add desirable resident population, office workers and retail space downtown.  However, we have concerns with the shadows which the proposed building will cast, traffic flow and congestion, parking, and reduction in sidewalk width.   The proposed building will set a precedent for other development in the area.  It is important to get it right.

On Monday October 26th, TCRA delegated at the Town of Oakville Planning and Development Council Meeting and cited our concerns. 

Seniors-oriented housing is the type of development envisaged for this site. However, any redevelopment must take into consideration the former Oakville-Trafalgar school building. In addition, the surrounding neighbourhood is part of the Trafalgar Road Heritage Conservation District.

The Oakville Municipal Development Corporation (Oakville MDC) is currently engaged in discussions with three developers.  This OTHS building will require substantial renovations. OMDC has a timeline of December 2025 to make a final determination on the development of the site 

The Town has been unsuccessful securing a federal grant for repurposing the old Oakville Trafalgar High School building as the permanent home of the Oakville Galleries' renowned art collection.  Future plans include cleaning it up, painting and improved fencing while we wait for direction on a grant from the Province. Barring that – new uses for the building will likely be entertained 

In his State of the Town address on 20 October (click here - scroll to minute 4.:25 for the start) Mayor Rob Burton committed to completing the project to repurpose the old OT High School building 

 “We also have the heritage designated Oakville Trafalgar High School that we need to repurpose and reuse in some adaptive way. When you are a champion of heritage preservation like we are, it means that you can’t have a heritage designated building boarded up forever. I am calling on Council to work with me to get that project completed.”  

Mayor Rob Burton writes:  Oakville projects overlooked for funding.

"My Council colleagues and I are disappointed to share that our community was overlooked for funding in the Culture and Recreation stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
 

Last fall Oakville applied for funding under the 2020 budget submission to, amongst other things, renovate the old Oakville Trafalgar High School building on the former hospital lands as gallery space, and to complete the south parcel of North Park Sports Park to include soccer and multi-use fields, cricket pitch, BMX and skateboard facilities, leash-free dog zone, splash pad and other park amenities.
 

My thanks go out to Oakville Members of Parliament Minister Anita Anand and MP Pam Damoff who both advocated for Oakville’s projects with their provincial counterparts.
 

As we look ahead to other funding options we are encouraged by the support of both Minister Anand and MP Damoff.  We know our MPPs Effie Triantafilopoulos and  Stephen Crawford always have the best interest of Oakville and its residents in mind."

The Oakville galleries Og2, with an internationally renowned art collection, has been seeking a location for several years to bring its collection under one roof, to showcase additional collections that it does not have space for today, and to allow it to continue to support community programs. 

It has come forward with a proposal to restore the old OTHS to museum-standard - estimated at $34 million. A significant amount of the capital may be available through the Ministry of Infrastructure, “Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s (ICIP Community, Culture and Recreation)”. The Town has partnered with the Og2 in its application for a grant under the Infrastructure Program and has committed to providing $3.1 million towards the project. The balance would have to be raised through a major funding campaign.

The TCRA supports this exciting concept. We believe that it would be a great use of the old OTHS building, preserving it as an asset for the whole Town. We think that the Oakville Galleries can successfully raise the necessary funds through a combination of government grants and private donations. Click here for details from the Town’s Special Council Meeting on November 5, 2019.  

November  2024

APPEAL FILED WITH THE ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL

 An OLT Case Conference Hearing was held on October 17, 2024. A Hearing Date is now scheduled for Monday, March 31, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.  

Participant Status was requested and granted to two individuals - Cody Cornale and Jeremy Hammond.  The Participants have until Friday, February 14, 2025, to provide and file copies of their written participant statement. 

Mediation –  The parties, (Town of Oakville and Spruce Rose Inc.)  contacted and secured a preliminary meeting with a Tribunal-led Mediator, in an effort to resolve the outstanding issues. Pending these efforts, the Parties will advise the OLT Case Coordinator whether any or all of the outstanding issues have been resolved.  

September 2024

APPEAL FILED WITH THE ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL

The OLT Case Management Conference originally scheduled for October 8, 2024 has been adjourned to October 17, 2024.

DEADLINES

A person who wishes to seek participant status is expected to pre-file a Participant Status Request Form and Participant Statement Form with the OLT and all parties at least 10 days ahead of the first hearing event (e.g. at the case management conference) to explain their interest in the appeal.

JULY 26, 2024

APPEAL FILED WITH THE ONTARIO LAND TRIBUNAL

Spruce Rose Inc. has filed an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal of the refusal of the Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment.  

July 08, 2024 – Town of Oakville  Planning and Development Meeting 

Recommendation:

1. That  the Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment applications by Spruce Rose Inc. for 304 & 318 Spruce Street be refused as proposed;
2. That if the application is appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal, town staff  use the appeal process to attempt to mediate issues affecting zoning regulations and development standards, to the satisfaction of the  Director of Planning and Town Solicitor;
3. That  the notice of Council’s decision reflects that Council has fully  considered all of the written and oral submissions relating to these matters and that those comments have been appropriately addressed; and
4. That,  in accordance with Section 34(17) of the Planning Act, no further  notice is determined to be necessary

MacDonald Rose - Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) Proceeding 

The OLT scheduled a three-day merit hearing commencing on Monday, January 13, 2025, at 10 a.m., through to Wednesday, January 15, 2025, by video hearing.

At the OLT Case Management Conference hearing, on September 18, 2024, the Parties considered a three-day merit hearing sufficient to resolve the issues based on the need for three witnesses, including a land use planner, an urban designer and an architect. 

Also, at the Hearing on September 18, 2024, the Tribunal granted Participant status to Dan Prosser, as he had a genuine and direct interest in the matter and could assist the Tribunal in making its decision. 

Its expected that Town staff will attempt to negotiate any issues of concern, in order  to reach a settlement that would ultimately allow the townhouses.

Development of 11 Freehold Townhouse Dwelling Units

Back in 2022, the former owner of  this land obtained approval from the Ontario Land Tribunal to build a three-storey 14-unit apartment building on this site.  Shortly after receiving that approval, the property was sold to MacDonald Rose Inc.  

The new owner subsequently applied to the Town for permission to develop 11 freehold townhouse dwelling units on the site.

Town staff believed the townhomes were appropriate for the site.  However,  there were still areas of concern, such as any impact on adjacent properties and compatible with the neighbourhood that needed to be resolved. 

New legislation forces municipalities to refund planning application fees if a decision on a development application is not made within 90 days.

Because of the new Provincial rules, there is not enough time  for Town staff to  have sufficient opportunities to work with a proponent to improve an application before making a recommendation to council.  

The development application was refused.  

In July 2024, MacDonald Rose commenced a proceeding with the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).  OLT will conduct a Case Management Conference by Video Conference for this matter. The event will be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Its expected that Town staff will attempt to negotiate any issues of concern, in order  to reach a settlement that would ultimately allow the townhouses.

The property is in the pre-construction stage with the designer Hicks Design Studio.

The building is planned to be used for low density residential purposes. The proposed building will replace an old medical arts building.

More information here 

The TCRA position, as outlined in a letter below, was influential in the councillors decision to oppose the development as presently put forward by the Developer. The first Hearing Event will be a Case Management Conference on Tuesday August 31, 2021 at 10:00am

The Town will be a Party to the Hearing.  The TCRA will be a Participant.

The Town has offered to try and negotiate a settlement on a Without Prejudice basis based on the Town Position. Staff have not yet heard back from the Developer with any suggestions.

Following delays by the Town, (in part due to COVID disruptions) in responding in a timely manner to the proposal to replace the old Medical Arts Building at 358 Reynolds with a condo development, the owners have appealed to the Ontario Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) for resolution. 

TCRA will represent the views of residents in the role of Participant in the LPAT hearing and begin preparing for the Case Management Conference (CMC) which will take place in early August, with the LPAT hearing in the October/November timeframe.

Concerned neighbours are encouraged to register as a Participant in the hearing. A Participant is entitled to submit a written statement to LPAT regarding the case concerned. Contact Sally Reynolds at sreynolds6@yahoo.ca for further information on becoming a Participant  in the hearing. 

TCRA Concerns include: 

Height, Density and Mass:

The proposed height of almost 15 metres is more than 1.5 time higher than allowed by current zoning and 2.5 times higher than neighbourhood homes. The existing zoning RL5-0 allows for up to 29 units per hectare. The proposed building equates to 49 units per hectare. The average density of single-family homes in the area is 14 units per hectare. In addition, the massing is a major concern as the proposed building will occupy approximately 60% of the lot versus current zoning which allows 35% lot coverage. 

Proximity:

The set back from the south lot line is proposed at 3 metres when balconies are taken into consideration. By using the Reynolds Street address versus the MacDonald Road, which the building will face, the backyard of the proposed building is treated by the developer as the flanking yard thereby reducing the set back from 7.5 metres (required of a backyard) to 4.5 metres (as required of a side yard). The developer is requesting a further unreasonable reduction of the set-back to 3 metres thereby impacting the privacy of neighbours to the south. 

Orientation/Balconies

As stated above the developer is seeking an unreasonable set-back of 3 metres. Current zoning does not allow balconies. The proposed building has 8 balconies overlooking neighbours to the south with a set-back of 3 metres thereby seriously compromising their privacy. In combination these two variances to zoning are untenable. 

 Public Meeting Report - Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment - Transmetro Limited - 358 Reynolds Street - File Nos.: OPA.1613.63 and Z.1613.63

-  Report from Planning Services Department,
September 23, 2020

1. That the public meeting report prepared by the Planning Services Department dated September 23, 2020, be received.

2. That comments from the public with respect to the proposed official plan amendment and zoning by-law amendment submitted by Transmetro Limited (File Nos.: OPA.1613.63 and Z.1613.63), be received.

3. That analysis of the following matters of interest to Council be included as part of the recommendation report:

a)  Prepare a density analysis of the immediate neighbourhood.

b)  Confirm the density in the town’s South Central Public Land Study.

c)  Confirm the heights of the homes in the immediate area and number of storeys.

d)  Confirm the height of the existing medical building.

e)  Consider compatibility with the balconies and resultant overlook issues with the abutting residential neighbourhood.

f)  Provide details with respect to the daylight triangle that is required.

g)  Provide details with respect to the mobility hub being the Oakville GO Station.

h)  Consider the impacts as a result of the reduced setback proposed to the southerly property line.

i)  Report back on the impact of the proposed 15 metre versus 9 metre height.

 To date, no application has been filed with the Town of Oakville for the re-development of this site. TCRA will continue to monitor the situation for any change in status 

Batory Management, along with the building owners, held their Public Information Meeting to outline their plans for re-development of 435 Reynolds St. on the evening of April 6 by Webex.

The group presented their plans to build an 8-storey residential building with 19 units and two levels of underground parking with 33 parking spaces (conceptual image above). The group confirmed the site was not zoned for this type of project and would need significant changes to the City’s Zoning By-Laws and represented a departure from the City’s current Official Plan. 

Most alarming about the proposal was the proposed height of the building at 26.4 meters. If completed the building would tower over the adjacent residential properties, some of them with heritage designation, on both sides of Reynolds, Pine, and the north side of Maple with a significant loss of privacy and sunlight for the homes impacted. 

The group made many references to the site as a “transition” property leaning on the province’s desire to increase density around Go Stations and citing the planned development in the area the City calls “Midtown”, on the North side of Cornwall, to justify their proposal. 

A total of 56 residents attended the call and were given the opportunity to provide feedback. The comments from residents illustrated unanimous and vocal opposition to the proposal citing numerous negative impacts to the neighbourhood as follows:

· Loss of privacy for many homes surrounding the proposed building

· Loss of sunlight for many surrounding homes 

· Significant loss in property values, particularly for adjacent homes

· Increased traffic in the neighbourhood

· Significant disruption during construction including traffic congestion and large trucks staging near homes given the challenges of constructing an 8-storey building on a very small building site, 

· Dramatic change in the neighbourhood south of Cornwall and West of Trafalgar which today is predominantly residential with a few low rise commercial buildings

· Establishing a precedent that would lead to the development of other nearby commercial properties with even taller buildings.

The group has not submitted an official proposal to the City and no date is set for next steps. For more information and to connect with concerned neighbours feel free to contact Bob French at french.robert@ymail.com

Call to Action from neighbour Bob French at 425 Reynolds

From:

Bob French

Home Owner

425 Reynolds St.

Dear Neighbor:

I am writing to you about the recent letter we received from Batory Urban Planning regarding a proposed development at 435 Reynolds. (See below)

The existing property at 435 Reynolds is a 3-storey commercial building. The proposed development is an 8-storey 26.4 metre apartment building meaning it will be two storeys taller then the old apartment building at 392 Pine just west of Watson. 

Any home within a block of this proposed structure will lose their privacy, as many units will be looking down on our properties. Beyond the loss of privacy, there are obvious implications to neighborhood density and traffic that will impact us all. 

As per the letter from Batory Urban Planning they are holding a Public Information Meeting on Tuesday April 6. 

I strongly encourage you to attend that session to voice your concerns. 

Beyond the call on April 6 I am hoping to organize further activities and initiatives to voice our collective opposition to this proposed development. If you would like to participate please email me at french.robert@ymail.com I can also send you an electronic copy of the invitation for the April 6 meeting.

The Trafalgar-Chartwell Resident’s Association is aware of the proposed development and is planning to join the effort to oppose the development including attending the April 6 session. 

Sincerely

Bob French

416-346-7758