Intensifying Ajax
10 Years in the Making

NRU
May 9, 2018
Rachael Williams

A north Ajax redevelopment proposal 10 years in the making is finally moving forward, with town councillors approving the first phase of construction.

Slated to be built on the southwest corner of Taunton Road West and Ravenscroft Road, phase one of the proposal includes five seven-storey apartment buildings with 389 units. Designed by David Arsenault of Arsenault Architect, it will form one part of a larger proposal that calls for 11 residential buildings ranging in height from five to 20 storeys to be built in three phases.

On Monday, the town’s community affairs and planning committee approved an official plan and zoning by-law amendment for the first phase of the development.

But key details surrounding the Section 37 requirement to build seniors housing units still need to be worked out before phases two and three are given the go-ahead by council.

As part of the original Section 37 agreement dating back to 2007, the developer, 1613935 Ontario, was required to include a minimum of two buildings of special needs housing containing 300 seniors units, among other community benefits.

According to Bousfield partner David Falletta that number was “basically something council approved on the floor” without adequately testing the market to determine if seniors’ facilities were in demand for that neighbourhood.

Falletta told NRU the developer had difficulty finding a partner that specialized in building retirement facilities and its market research determined the need was greater for apartment units in that area.

“The requirement for seniors’ units has definitely been a roadblock and that’s why the site has sat vacant for 10 years,” he said.

After lengthy negotiations with staff, a revised proposal was brought to Ajax committee recommending a decrease in the number of seniors units required, from 300 to 150.

Councillors shot down the recommendation on Monday, noting the significance of providing seniors housing for the town’s aging population.

“We certainly have a need for seniors housing in Ajax and adding those homes addresses the needs in Ajax a lot more specifically,” said Ward 1 councillor Marilyn Crawford.

There was also disagreement surrounding what constitutes a “seniors dwelling unit.” In the town’s definition, seniors units have a maximum of one bedroom without private kitchen facilities in the unit.

1613935 Ontario was pushing to have the one-bedroom limit removed, as well as the restriction on private kitchen facilities.

“[Councillors] had concerns that by allowing private kitchen facilities, it could potentially just be an apartment building,” said Ajax planner Sean McCullough. “They want to ensure these units are for seniors.”

Staff will continue to meet with 1613935 Ontario to iron out these details over the next few weeks. Falletta said he hopes to have all three phases of the proposal approved by July.