Plans have been put forth for three condominium buildings near the Georgetown GO station.
The proposal from developer 1 Rosetta Street Inc. includes one eight-storey building and two 12-storey ones with a total of 640 units on land occupied by the former paper coating mill. The complex directly north of Georgetown GO would need to be demolished to make way for the condos, if approved.
The plans propose some integration with the GO station for pedestrians. The vast majority of the condo parking would be underground on two levels, with some above ground parking for visitors. A park is also planned in the vicinity of the buildings.
Town staff is processing the developer's application, with a statutory public meeting for residents to provide feedback being planned for early next year.
The coating mill was one of several properties built by Georgetown’s famed Barber family. Paper production, thanks to the efforts of John Roaf Barber and his brother James, became the largest in Georgetown. The Barber Mill at 99 River St. produced the paper, which was then brought to 1 Rosetta St. to be coated. The Barbers built a hydroelectric generating plant, called the Barber Dynamo, to power their business.
Despite the need for demolition, plans are in the works to recognize the heritage of the property. It's still early days, but Town Director of Development Review Jeff Markowiak said there will likely be “a plaque that's appropriately referencing the historic use of this property.”
“The general understanding is that the building itself doesn't contain much heritage value. The heritage associated with this site was more a reflection of its historic use,” he added.
Markowiak said the heritage committee doesn't object to the demolition of the site, in principle, “but wants confirmation about an appropriate commemoration approach before they would consider actually approving anything.”
Eventually, a report will go before town council, which has the power to approve or deny the condo plans.
