Three-storey, 20-unit apartment proposed in Palmerston
The Norman Street property is currently vacant and zoned mixed use.
MINTO – A proposed three-storey residential apartment building in Palmerston is now one step closer to reality.
A site plan control application for the project was presented to Minto council on Feb. 17.
The property, owned by Surinder Chaudhry, is located at 255 Norman St. and is approximately 2,806 square metres (30,236 square feet) in size.
The proposed three-storey building features 570 square metres of ground-floor area and 20 units, including one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments.
The site plan approval process ensures conditions such as servicing, grading, drainage, parking and landscaping are addressed in accordance to the town’s standards.
The property is currently vacant and zoned mixed use.
Town planning coordinator Sama Haghighi presented the report to council on Feb. 17 and explained the project’s lengthy timeline.
A minor variance application was approved by council in June 2024 with a consent application later approved in August 2024, she explained.
The site plan approval process falls under recent Bill 109 changes to the Planning Act, which remove council’s approval authority and delegates it to the director of building and planning services, as well as to the mayor and clerk for executing the site plan approval agreement.
“Although the legislated process excludes council’s formal input or approval, staff believe it is important for council to be aware of major projects within the town,” Haghighi said.
Council comments
Councillor Ron Elliott asked when the project will begin.
“We don’t have any information from the developer for the start date,” Haghighi replied.
“So they could sit on this property and not do it for years?” Elliott asked.
CEO Gregg Furtney told Elliott the site plan agreement has an expiration date of five years.
“Are any of these units going to be deemed affordable?” asked councillor Ed Podniewicz.
“No, it’s not an affordable project,” Haghighi replied.
“I know we’ve seen this proposal numerous times ... but it’s a good thing that it’s moving along.”
The final steps include the approval of a site plan application and execution of a site plan agreement. Once Chaudhry has acquired both, the issuance of a building permit may begin.
Council received the report for information.
