Residents push back against major Barrie south development proposal

How tall is too tall?

A proposed high-density development on Essa Road is facing strong opposition from area residents, who argue the project is too large for the surrounding neighbourhood.

During a June 3 meeting of Barrie’s Affordability Committee, several residents raised concerns about a proposal for 550-576 Essa Rd., near Mapleton Avenue. The area is primarily made up of low-density subdivisions, a commercial plaza and an eight-storey residential building currently under construction.

The proposal includes two residential towers of 16 and 18 storeys, six townhouse blocks, 806 residential units and 660 parking spaces.

Eric Brathwaite of MHBC Planning presented the application to councillors, city staff and residents. Ten residents spoke against the proposal during the meeting.

Nancy Tuckett, who lives near the site, said she supports residential intensification but believes the scale of the project is inappropriate for the neighbourhood.

“The height of 16 and 18 storeys on a site that’s 4.63 acres, with a proposal of 806 units at an FSI of 2.49, is extreme – it’s far too high,” she said.

Tuckett suggested developments of that scale would be more appropriate in Barrie’s downtown core or along the Highway 400 corridor.

Marian Wilkins, who has lived in the area for nearly 30 years, also questioned whether the towers would fit into the existing community.

“The proposal of 16 and 18 storeys just won’t look good in this neighbourhood,” she said.

Mark Chimiski, who lives directly across from the site, said privacy is his primary concern.

“The prospect of a multi-storey building with direct sight lines into our living space, I find deeply troubling,” he said.

Nicole Murphy, whose property backs onto the development site, expressed concerns about increased traffic along the corridor.

“The traffic issue is significant. This is not even taking into account that further south on Essa Road there are more buildings coming,” she said.

Coun. Gary Harvey, who represents the area, noted that Mayor Alex Nuttall has consistently advocated for directing the city’s tallest and densest developments to specific areas.

“It’s important to highlight that on several occasions throughout this term, the mayor has been quite clear when it comes to development – that high-density developments need to be in the downtown, near transit hubs and near Highway 400,” Harvey said.

“I don’t see this meeting any of those check boxes.”

Council has not made a decision on the proposal yet. City staff will report back later with a recommendation after reviewing the application.