Plans are in the works for what could be the largest single-site residential development in Chatham-Kent's history.
At the very least, it will certainly be the tallest.
Municipal officials in Chatham-Kent said they have received applications for a zoning change that would allow a new four-building, 774-unit residential development at 770 St. Clair Street in Chatham.
The vacant property at the centre of the plan is right between Staples and Galaxy Cinemas.
The company behind the project is York Developments based out of London, Ontario and Chatham-Kent's Director of Planning Services Ryan Jacques told CK News Today this would be the company's first residential development in Chatham-Kent.
The plan, according to Jacques, includes building two 14-storey buildings and two 12-storey buildings at the site with the development taking place in two phases.
Phase One would consist of the construction of one tower with 209 units. The second phase of the construction would follow that with the three remaining towers.
Jaques said it is anticipated the project would take several years to complete.
Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said the proposed development is another sign that Chatham-Kent is a growing, welcoming, and attractive place to invest in.
"York Developments has already proven to be a great developer in our community, and I am very pleased that they have continued to invest in Chatham-Kent," said Mayor Canniff in a release. “Chatham-Kent is growing, and I’m excited to see these new buildings take shape over the next few years."
Jacques could not confirm with CK News Today whether the project would be the largest single-site residential development in Chatham-Kent's history, but he did say it reminds him of another residential boom that took place in Chatham more than 40 years ago.
"Just anecdotally, I think I would want to go back to the 1970s when Trillium Village on Keil Drive was developed," said Jacques. "There are a couple of 10-storey towers, three or four 3-storey buildings, and some townhomes there."
Regardless of whether the number of units would be record-breaking, the size of the buildings in the proposal would certainly hit a new high in Chatham-Kent.
Jacques said even the 12-storey buildings that are being proposed would become the tallest residential structures in the municipality. He said there is one 11-storey building and around ten 10-storey buildings in Chatham.
It could still be a while before any shovels hit the ground, though.
Jacques said York Developments has been preparing applications for the past 12 to 18 months and the next step in the process is for a formal application to come to Chatham-Kent council, requesting a zoning change to allow a residential development at the site.
Right now, the site is zoned for commercial development as the land was initially planned for a large format home improvement store, according to Jacques, but those lands remained vacant ever since.
Jacques said he anticipates a zoning change application could come before Chatham-Kent Council by the end of the summer.
"There will be public notice 20 days before the council meeting," said Jacques, noting that he anticipates the project will draw a lot of public interest. "We'll be updating our planning notices website and it will have the application's material including a planning report from the proponent, a servicing feasibility study, and a transportation impact study."