A developer is planning to create new townhouses near the Atherley Narrows.
Royalpark has purchased the property at 679 Atherley Rd., which is currently a private marina and boat storage lot, bordered by Orchard Point and Driftwood roads.
The project is called Mariner’s Pier and will consist of eight buildings that will include a total of 42 townhouses.
Royalpark has requested a zoning bylaw amendment to allow for the development. The property is designated living area-intensification area in the city’s Official Plan and is zoned residential five exception two-intensification area (holding nine).
Jeff Duggan, a senior planner with the city, noted the existing zoning permits only three apartment buildings with a total of 106 dwelling units. The amendment would be needed for the proposed Mariner’s Pier project to go ahead.
Marco De Simone, president of Royalpark, said the company was attracted to Orillia because it is “a hot spot for real estate trends,” with people looking to buy a second home or even a first one here and get away from the Greater Toronto Area.
“You’ve got two lakes at your doorstep. Waterfront is definitely something that people are admiring,” he said.
Royalpark’s projects include buildings with traditional looks as well as those with a contemporary feel. De Simone said potential buyers were asked what they’d prefer to see at Mariner’s Pier, and a contemporary design was “most desirable.”
Royalpark has already purchased the private marina.
“The marina is more or less going to be similar,” De Simone said. “We’ll just clean it up and make it really nice.”
The marina will only be accessible to those who live at Mariner’s Pier.
A public meeting to get feedback on the proposed zoning bylaw amendment will likely take place in June, Duggan said.
