A working group to facilitate community input on the proposal was established in consultation with the local Councillor following the October 4, 2006 community consultation meeting. The working group is composed of area residents and representatives.
On December 19, 2006 the first meeting of the Working Group was held with the owner’s agent, the project architect, a representative of Biddington Property Management and City staff. The meeting was very positive and productive with all parties discussing the merits, problems and issues associated with the concept plan. Mr. Brown agreed to revisit the proposal in consultation with the owner and have a revised proposal prepared in the new year.
Another meeting of the Working Group, the applicant’s representatives and City staff was held on February 26, 2007. A revised proposal was presented at this meeting which eliminated the proposed 150 stacked townhouse units, replacing them with 24 three-storey townhouses on the east side of the property and two condominium apartment buildings on the Wilmington Avenue frontage. A total of approximately 430 units and 10,000 square feet of retail space was proposed in the two buildings. Discussion at this meeting on the revised proposal centered around the change in urban form, the building heights, the increase in the number of residential units and the decrease in the amount of commercial space. The applicant agreed to review these issues with his client and hold another meeting with the Working Group on a revised proposal.
On May 7, 2007 a further meeting was held which reviewed the same February 2007 concept plan. The group raised height, density, commercial gross floor area, potential residential mix, built form and siting of the buildings as important issues for the owner to consider when revising the proposal.
Working Group meeting #4 was held on October 27, 2008. The meeting was attended by the Working Group, the Councillor and Councillor’s assistant, Planning staff, the applicant’s architect and property manager. The applicant’s architect presented a revised version of the February 2007 concept plan. A presentation was also given by City staff and the working group was split into two groups to discuss built form, the public realm and the commercial component of the proposed development.
Working Group meeting #5 was held on June 10, 2010. The meeting was attended by the Working Group, the Councillor’s assistant, Planning staff, the applicant’s architect and agent.