We had been the listing agents who successfully sold in this transaction. These properties had been listed for years with the intent for future redevelopment. It shouldn’t come as any surprise as Yonge Street, has always been primed for intensification.
In the bustling heart of Barrie’s Yonge Street corridor in the south end, significant changes could be on the horizon. Two proposed condominium developments, both by the same developer, are set to intensify residential density in the area.
On Wednesday, March 22, public meetings are scheduled to discuss the rezonings required for these seven-storey buildings. One of them is designed to accommodate 196 condo units, while the other is planned for 177 units. Both developments come complete with 226 and 205 parking spaces, as well as ground-floor commercial spaces. These buildings are slated for the northeast
and southeast corners of Yonge Street and Maclaren Avenue.
However, residents haven’t waited for the meetings to voice their concerns. James Fifield, a 21-year resident of the area, has already expressed his opposition to the development at 447-455 Yonge St. In his view, the project is “way too big, verging on ridiculous,” and he worries about the impact on traffic and the community’s quality of life.
Shahin Babadi Aghakhanpour and Shervin Jahangiri Babadi, adjacent landowners, share concerns about the building’s height, as it casts a shadow over their property and disrupts their tranquility. Dale MacKenzie and Celeste Phillips, also adjacent landowners, are worried about the shadowing effect and suggest a lower building height would be more suitable.
All these concerns have been forwarded to the city. Moreover, residents have also raised issues about increased traffic, parking, privacy, and shadowing impacts on nearby homes, as well as the potential impact on existing park spaces and stormwater management.
These proposed developments are part of a larger trend of intensification along Yonge Street, and their rezoning from residential single detached dwelling to mixed-use corridor with special provisions is at the center of the discussion. Ground-floor commercial spaces are expected in both developments, offering a dynamic element to the area.
As the public meetings approach, the debate over these condominium developments in Barrie continues, with residents and stakeholders advocating for a balanced approach that considers both the need for growth and the preservation of the existing neighborhood’s character. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving urban landscape.
