A proposed apartment development in Simcoe has been significantly modified following public feedback and concerns raised by council, with Norfolk County staff now recommending approval of a revised zoning change for 215 Victoria Street.
The application seeks to rezone the property from Neighbourhood Commercial to Urban Residential Type 5 to allow for the construction of a four-storey apartment building with on-site parking.
The site is located at the corner of Victoria Street and Donly Drive South, with frontage onto Austin Crescent, in a largely residential area.
The original proposal drew strong feedback from residents and council members during a statutory public meeting held in October 2025.
Key concerns focused on parking shortages, traffic congestion, building height, and safety in surrounding neighbourhood streets.
Residents cited limited on-street parking along Austin Crescent, traffic challenges near Donly Drive — particularly during school drop-off and pickup times — and the lack of sidewalks in nearby areas.
Several residents also raised privacy concerns, arguing that a taller building would be out of character beside existing low-rise homes.
Council members echoed those concerns, questioning whether the proposed reduced parking ratios were realistic for a rural community like Norfolk County.
Members also asked that the Traffic Impact Study be reassessed using worst-case scenarios rather than optimistic assumptions.
In response, the developer submitted a revised plan that staff say directly reflects public and council input.
The updated proposal reduces the building height to a maximum of four storeys, bringing the project into alignment with zoning provisions and lowering overall density.
The changes also eliminate the need for reduced parking ratios, allowing the development to meet standard parking requirements for both residents and visitors.
In addition, all driveway access has been moved to Victoria Street, removing planned access points from Donly Drive South and Austin Crescent.
Planning staff say these changes address the most significant community concerns around traffic flow, parking availability, and neighbourhood safety.
“The proposal has been modified following comments made by technical staff, council members and the public,” the staff report states, noting that the revised version is now considered appropriate and consistent with county planning policies.
While some residents also questioned sewer and water capacity, staff noted that servicing limitations are not grounds for refusing the application and can instead be addressed through future site plan conditions.
Norfolk County Council is expected to consider the amended zoning by-law at its meeting today, with staff recommending approval based on the revised, scaled-back proposal.