Special to Ontario Construction News
A rental apartment project in Burlington is making progress toward construction after undergoing key design changes to meet city council requirements. The development at 2169-2175 Ghent Avenue was initially planned as two separate three-storey apartment buildings but has now been redesigned as a U-shaped, 12-unit rental building to better accommodate community needs.
One of the most notable updates includes the addition of two three-bedroom units, an important consideration as Burlington strives to offer more housing options for families.
Originally, the development plan consisted of smaller units spread across two buildings. However, after consultation with city officials, developer Ryan Small modified the design to combine the structures into one larger U-shaped building. This new layout provides a more cohesive living experience while still maintaining a variety of unit sizes, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments.
While the revised design come with a slight trade-off. The outdoor amenity space has been reduced to approximately 300 square meters, which is 150 square meters less than the minimum required. Despite this reduction, city planning staff agreed to the adjustment, recognizing the importance of larger unit availability. According to a memo from planning staff, the project still ensures sufficient outdoor space for residents, particularly given its proximity to public parks such as Optimist Park (250 meters away) and Central Park (1.2 kilometers away).
At its Feb. 18 meeting, Burlington city council approved zoning bylaw and official plan amendments, giving the project the green light to move forward. The approval marks a significant step toward site plan review and eventual construction.
Inside Halton reports that one of the key financial considerations for the project has been development charges (DCs), which total $596,542. However, under Ontario’s Development Charges Act, projects like this may qualify for discounts. The current incentive program provides reductions of:
- 25% for three-bedroom rental units
- 20% for two-bedroom units
- 15% for one-bedroom units
These reductions help encourage developers to include more rental housing in their projects, particularly larger units suitable for families.
Challenges and Future Considerations for Developers
While the project is progressing, Small has expressed concerns over the high cost of development in Ontario compared to other regions. He pointed out that in some municipalities in New York State, development charges can be as low as $1,000 per unit, a stark contrast to the fees imposed in Ontario. Small emphasized the need for discussions with city officials regarding reducing fees for purpose-built rental developments, as these costs are often barriers to bringing more rental housing to market.
He further stated that for purpose-built rental projects, cities should consider reducing:
- Development charges
- Parkland fees
- Ongoing operating expenses such as property taxes
