Tallest building takes step forward
The plan for a 19-storey residence and hotel in downtown St. Catharines is moving on up.
City councillors Monday night approved a zoning amendment that allows for the proposed height at 57 Carlisle St., next to the city’s parking garage.
Mayor Walter Sendzik said it is the first step in a long process for the development.
“We build communities by bold leadership and risk takers,” he said, addressing developer Nick Atalick in council chambers.
“You’re a risk taker and an entrepreneur. On behalf of council, we’re going to be excited to watch this unfold.”
Sendzik said from an economic development, planning and transportation and environmental services standpoint, the city departments are there to support a project such as this one.
The plan includes a mixed-used building with 144 condo apartments, retail commercial space, a 64-unit hotel and three levels of underground parking.
Its frontage will be on Carlisle Street and Garden Park, at the rear of what used to be the Leonard Hotel and is now Carlisle Suites.
Atalick told councillors his plan calls for 750- to 970-squarefoot apartments that would run $260,000 to $334,000. The objective is to have one parking spot per unit.
Construction is slated to start in the spring and will take an estimated 18 months, he said.
City director of planning and building services Jim Riddell told councillors the building will be the highest and densest building in St. Catharines and is located where the highest and densest building should be. It’s in the urban growth centre of the city, next to the parking garage and across from public transit.
Riddell said the plan has received no objections from relevant departments and agencies and Niagara Region has thrown its support behind the proposal because it will help the city achieve a density target of 150 people and jobs per hectare in the urban growth centre.
A city public open house about the zoning application on July 14 drew a dozen members of the public. Riddell said there was support for the proposal and some questions about the building’s design and parking.
Riddell said comments included a preference for a terraced building to reduce the visual impact and break up the building’s mass. He said staff will work with the applicant to ensure the building is compatible and attractive.
Another concern raised was whether the development will have sufficient parking. Riddell said that’s been addressed with the 144 spaces proposed, a bus terminal across the street and the parking garage next door.
Councillors changed the zoning from Downtown Traditional Main Street to Downtown Commercial Core to allow for the height.