New Nobleton plaza on Hwy. 27 at Mactaggart becoming closer to reality

YorkRegion.com
March 22, 2017
Simon Martin

The barren patch of ground at the southwest corner of Mactaggart Drive and Hwy. 27 in Nobleton could see some development shortly. The proposal was back in front of council for a public meeting March 20.

Residents had raised concerns at  a previous public meeting about underground parking and a drive-thru proposed at the site and it seems those concerns didn’t fall on deaf ears.

The proposal still includes construction of commercial plaza that is oriented to the corner of Hwy. 27 and Mactaggart Drive; however now parking is proposed at the rear and south-side of the at the building. There will be a total 72 parking spaces. The building has been designed to be three storeys at the corner of Hwy. 27 and Mactaggart Drive and steps down to two storeys as it continues to the south.

The total size is to be 31,183 square feet.

While the changes were welcome for longtime Nobleton resident Simrah Ozel, she still wanted to make sure council knew the development was going to have a big impact on people living in the neighbourhood.

“We do appreciate no under-ground parking and no drive-thru,” Ozel said. “It is still a very large building. I’m a little concerned about the size and scale.”

A 2-metre retaining wall is proposed along the property boundaries, which abut Nobleton houses. The landscaping plan proposes a mixture of 24 deciduous and coniferous l trees and a shrub and grass mix within the required buffer planting strip between the fence and the proposed parking area. The landscaping trees, shrubs and grasses will assist in breaking up the mass of the fence and provide for additional privacy screening.

Members of King council viewed the proposal as a step forward but still had some concerns. Ward 5 Coun. Debbie Schaeffer didn’t think there were enough natural elements in the proposal. “I am shocked about the minimum planting strips that are being considered,” she said.

Ward 2 Coun. David Boyd was concerned about the pedestrian access in the area. “The sidewalk is a disaster,” he said.

Ward. 4 Coun. Bill Cober was more blunt about the sidewalk condition. “It is tired and done.”

The development proposal places the three-storey commercial building closer to the street together with a parking area located at the rear of the building. Landscaping is proposed along the front facade of the building together with store fronts.

Condor Properties is seeking to change the zoning of the property allowing for additional uses including adult or children's learning centre, artist or photographer studios and galleries, banks, professional offices, day spas, day cares, day nurseries, dry cleaning establishments, education or training facility, fitness club or health centre, medical, dental or drugless practitioners, pet grooming and boarding establishments, pharmacies or drug marts, printing establishments, private schools; restaurants, including takeout restaurants, and veterinary clinic.

Township staff will take comments from the public meeting and come back to council with recommendations about moving forward.