Yonge Street Commercial Plaza, Barrie

This project is located in the southeast area of the City of Barrie, along Yonge Street. The proposal involved demolishing the existing single detached dwelling and constructing a commercial plaza consisting of two single-storey buildings and an interior parking area. 

Design Plan Services Inc. submitted an Official Plan Amendment and a Zoning By-law Amendment application to permit the proposed use. Council refused the Official Plan Amendment application and failed to enact the requested Zoning By-law Amendment, and both applications were appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). Through settlement negotiations with the City, the Official Plan Amendment application was withdrawn, and the Zoning By-law Amendment application was amended to permit a mixed-use zoning designation allowing a range of residential, commercial, and institutional uses, including a building height of 25.5 m where the ground floor is occupied by commercial or institutional uses. 

Design Plan Services Inc. was retained by Tristar Management Corp. to secure the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment approval and to provide expert land use evidence at the OMB in support of the proposed development. The Zoning By-law Amendment was approved by the OMB through a settlement with the City.