Under the glare of council chamber lights, Barrie’s elected officials prepare to weigh a plan that could alter the rhythm of Ardagh Road, testing the city’s vision for neighbourhood growth.
Tonight, Barrie city council faces a decision that extends beyond mere paperwork. At the heart of their agenda is a rezoning application for a 1.21-acre parcel on Ardagh Road’s north side, just east of Neva Road. The developer, Cal-Parc Ardagh Road Inc., seeks permission to replace single-detached zoning with allowances for three blocks of four-and-a-half storey, back-to-back townhouses—totalling 51 residences with 73 parking spaces and three planned amenity areas.
This site sits within Barrie’s designated neighbourhood area, as outlined in the city’s Official Plan. That designation aims to balance new construction with respect for the established character of surrounding communities, permitting what officials call “appropriate levels of intensification.” The rezoning would move the land from its current low-density designation to a multiple dwelling category tailored to facilitate the proposed townhouse complex.
As council deliberates, the stakes are clear. The outcome could shape not only Ardagh Road’s streetscape, but also set a precedent for how Barrie manages growth and evolves its urban fabric. Intensification within existing neighbourhoods is central to Barrie’s growth strategy, yet each development brings questions about infrastructure, transit, and whether the blending of new homes with historic surroundings truly serves the public interest.
Tonight’s public meeting, held at city hall and streamed online, offers residents a chance to scrutinize the plan and share concerns. Final decisions on the project’s fate are yet to come, but the debate signals Barrie’s ongoing challenge: fostering growth while protecting the spirit of its neighbourhoods.
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Barrie budget, Ardagh rezoning top tonight’s council agenda
