- The Town of Stouffville’s western approach at Highway 48 and Stouffville Road is a well recognized eyesore.
- While other area land owners have left lands vacant, FLATO is proposing an interim commercial development for their parcels at the southwest corner of the intersection.
- The Town’s Official Plan seeks a beautified gateway development consisting of medium to high density mixed-uses, however FLATO has stated that their site is both too small for such a project and that the market does not yet justify it.
- “The current configuration and size of the site is not sufficient to accommodate that mixed use,” FLATO’s planning representative said. “It’s difficult to develop anything larger.”
- Councillor Sue Sherban took issue with yet another single-storey commercial proposal, referencing the importance of the location and noting a history of other interim projects lingering far too long in Stouffville.
- “I know you can do better, and I know you have the capability to do it,” Sherban told the developer. “I plead with you to take this back and look at something you can be proud of…Do something fantastic.”
- Other Councillors are more willing to accommodate the interim use even if it was in place for many years, focusing on the importance of improving aesthetics of the entryway as soon as possible.
- “I’m not proud of our entrance into this Town,” Councillor Rick Upton said, mentioning how happy he is that the abandoned building on the site will be coming down.
- Mayor Lovatt expressed hope that the interim project will catalyze more development activity in the surrounding area and begin holistically improving the Town’s gateway.
- “We have a lot of property owners on those corners, we’ve heard a lot of promises, but nothing seems to happen” Councillor Hugo Kroon added. “We want to see something happen here very quickly.”
- “I hear what everyone is saying,” Sherban responded to comments from her peers.”But I hear us settling.”
- In response to Sherban’s concerns, FLATO president Shakir Rehmatullah said lower density housing and an improved heritage feel will be considered for the project—suggesting the interim use would be around for some time.
- “You have opened my eyes, I’m actually thinking now,” Rehmatullah said.
- Residents can still comment on the concept and future of the site by emailing developmenthelp@townofws.ca.
Thought: if Flato can quickly build a single story commercial, heritage looking new entrance to town now why not include in that plan options for building up in a few years? That includes density which helps the environment, lets the building process begin quickly to clean up the town’s gateway and provides for the potential of more use, should the need arise.