A proposal to build a new office building in the north end of the city, tearing down the city’s first McDonald’s as a result, will be returning to city hall later this week.
Starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, the city’s committee of adjustment will be meeting in council chambers. Among the items on the agenda is a pitch to build a four-storey office building at 735 and 737 Woolwich St.
First heard by the committee in January, Vesterra Property Management is looking to tear down the shuttered McDonald’s on the property, along with the neighbouring building, most recently occupied by Yiayia Greek, to make room for the project.
At that January meeting, a request to permit a daycare on the property was approved.
Along with the request to build above the three storeys permitted in the land’s zoning, the developer is also looking to halve the front yard setback to three metres from six.
“The intent in requiring front yard setbacks is to ensure there is sufficient room to provide sufficient landscaping, street trees, sidewalks and utilities,” a note from staff to the committee, posted on the city’s website, reads.
“The reduced front yard setback is only for the underground parking which will not be visible once construction is complete, and will allow the amount of parking to be maximized.”
Under the proposal, the developer is looking to include more than 150 parking spots.
That same note from staff also recommends the committee approve the request.
According to documents submitted by the developer for this application, work could start as soon as this fall.