Summary
The purpose of the application is to permit the adaptive reuse of the existing buildings and structures on the subject lands, being the historic Courthouse, Jail, Jail yards, and Governor’s Residence, for an entertainment and event venue and business incubator. The entertainment and event venue is intended to accommodate gatherings for specific events (i.e., weddings, business & personal events, etc.) and will be supported by on-site restaurants, drinking establishments, indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities and overnight accommodations. These uses will be available to both event participants and the general public.
The proposal includes minor modifications to the existing buildings and structures to allow for access (e.g., elevators), restoration of a front portico to the Courthouse building, vehicular access from 3rd Ave E and 4th Ave E, a parking area to the east (rear) of the site containing 40 stalls, a loading dock to the north (side) of the Governor’s Residence, and site landscaping. The Courthouse is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act for reasons of architectural and contextual value and interest and the Jail property is listed on the City’s Heritage Register.
OPA 13
The effect of the Official Plan Amendment is to redesignate the subject lands from ‘Institutional’ to ‘Arterial Commercial’ on Schedule ‘A’ – Land Use of the City’s 2021 Official Plan. The Arterial Commercial designation recognizes that the subject lands have frontage on a Minor Arterial roadway (3rd Ave E). Site-specific policies are proposed to permit the following additional uses within the Arterial Commercial designation:
- An entertainment and event venue.
- Visitor accommodations and places of entertainment.
- Community facilities such as a gallery, museum, and other institutional uses.
- Business services.
ZBA 49
The effect of the Zoning By-law Amendment is to rezone the subject lands from ‘Institutional’ (I) to ‘Mixed Use Commercial’ (MC) with Special Provision (14.XXX) within the City’s Zoning By-law (2010-078, as amended). Permitted uses in the Mixed-Use Commercial Zone include ‘Restaurant’ and ‘Drinking Establishment’. The proposed Special Provisions (14.XXX) would, in addition to the uses permitted in the MC zone, add a ‘Business Incubator’ and ‘Event and Entertainment Facility’ as permitted uses, and define these uses generally in accordance with the following:
‘Business Incubator’ means an establishment that provides incubator services such as management training, networking facilities, programming, mentorship programs, business assistance services, and office space including ‘hot desk’ services and is dedicated to nurturing the development and commercialization of start-ups, early-stage companies and established companies (enterprises).
‘Event and Entertainment Facility’ means an establishment in which the main use is to accommodate gatherings for specific events, and which may also include, among its internal functions, accommodation for overnight guests, accessory retail and office, and indoor and outdoor entertainment facilities available for use by event participants, the general public, or both.
The Special Provision (14.XXX) also proposes to require a minimum of 100 parking stalls for the development and to permit required parking to be located on-site or within 500 m of the subject lands.
Submission Items
Planning & Urban Design Rationale Report
Draft Official Plan Amendment
Draft Zoning By-law Amendment
Architectural Drawing Set
Functional Servicing Brief
Transportation Impact Study
Heritage Impact Assessment
Parking Study
Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment
Noise Impact Study
Parking Justification Study Update
Land Use Compatibility Study
Letter of Opinion - Chimney Swift
Planning Addendum Letter and Draft Amendments
Notices
Notice of Complete Application and Public Meeting
Notice of Adoption By-law No. 2023-113
Notice of Passing By-law No. 2023-114
Staff Reports
CS-23-090 Technical Report - September 11, 2023 Council Meeting - Item 10.a
Public Meeting - September 11, 2023 - Item 6.a
CS-23-111 Recommendation Report - October 23, 2023 Council Meeting - Item 10.a