SANDWICH PROJECT

 Author of the article: Taylor Campbell

Publishing date:Jun 06, 2022  •  June 7, 2022  

An 11-storey apartment on long-vacant industrial land in Sandwich Town has received the green light from a committee of council. Council’s development and heritage standing committee voted unanimously Monday to recommend the 150-unit project, which requires a zoning amendment to permit a residential building on a lot otherwise reserved for industrial use.

The apartment is slated for the grassy land corner of Sandwich Street and Chappell Avenue that has been vacant for 15-plus years just east of a Tim Hortons and about a block from Major F.A. Tilston Armoury. Houses neighbour the lot to the north and east.

In addition to 150 affordable apartments, each between 54 and 98 square metres, Tunio Development is proposing two retail units on the ground floor and 156 parking spaces.

“It’s a great development for that area, utilizing land that has been vacant for years,” said Ward 5 Coun. Ed Sleiman, who moved administration’s recommendation to rezone the land.

The lot previously housed the historic Chappell House built in the early 1900s, which later became a notorious roadhouse during prohibition. In its lifetime, the building was known as the Lido Tavern, Rum Runners, and the President’s Club, an adult entertainment lounge. The building was destroyed by fire in 2006.

The apartment building would target people “who are travelling to the U.S. for work and who work in the downtown as well,” said Tracey Pillon-Abbs, the developer’s principal planner. At just over two kilometres from the University of Windsor, it would also serve students.

While no area residents expressed concern about the high-rise during public consultation sessions, Pillon-Abbs said the building will be situated as close to the property corner — and as far from neighbouring houses — as possible “to ensure no negative impact on any of the abutting land.”

The proposed apartment building “represents a form of intensification and redevelopment that will help the city meet the full range of current and future residential needs,” said Kevin Alexander, senior city planner for special projects.

It provides a “good infill opportunity,” he said, “and is an efficient use of the existing transportation network.”

While the nearest bus stop is about 400 metres away on Prince Road, an expanded bus route that will likely see a stop outside the apartment is planned.

“It seems to be a good transition between the industrial uses, transportation uses, and commercial to residential,” Alexander said.

An archeological study on the lot revealed no concerns.