Housing At Leroy Grant Park
Declaring Leroy Grant Park surplus
for the purpose of affordable housing
The City of Kingston is currently considering the option to declare Leroy Grant Park surplus to be available for future affordable housing development. Declaring the land surplus means that the City would be able to put the land in a property "bank" which could be used for future affordable housing development when appropriate funding is available. The City's strategy is to identify properties that are available and that are suitable with appropriate public amenities for affordable housing development throughout the City.
Leroy Grant Park is a 1.3 acre site that was acquired by the City through parkland dedication in the mid 1980s. Leroy Grant Park is located at 58 Leroy Grant Drive and has been an open space for the past few decades and does not contain recreational amenities nor has it been designed for any specific recreational use. Under the newly approved parks and Recreation Master Plan, the City is to provide park space within an 800 metre radius of residential areas. The following parks area located within an 800 metre radius of 58 Leroy Grant:
- Third Avenue Park (6.4 acres)
- Oak Street Park (6.31 acres)
- Kiwanis Park (3.51 acres)
- Max Jackson Park (3 acres)
- Kingston Memorial Centre site (23.6 acres)
Leroy Grant Park is currently identified as open space under the Official Plan but has a "B3" (Multiple Family Dwelling) zoning which would allow residential development which could accommodate approximately 63 dwellings with an additional allowance provided a density bonus (in return for affordable housing) agreement is put in place. The construction of affordable housing on this site would require an Official Plan amendment and depending on the project and its density, the zoning could require an amendment as well.
Leroy Grant Park is close to major intersections of Concession Street and Princess Street as well as major amenities such as the Kingston Centre and transit. The proximity to these services makes this site a very good candidate for affordable or social housing. Two of the neighbouring high density buildings already include a mixture of affordable housing units and the intent would be to add a similar type of model to maintain the existing community mix.
Maps of Leroy Grant Park and other surrounding parks are available through the links. The public is invited to submit comment on the option to declare Leroy Grant Park surplus by September 27, 2011, by sending comments to Liz Cartwright by e-mail (lcartwright@cityofkingston.ca), by mail at 216 Ontario Street, Kingston, K7L 2Z3, or by dropping it off at City Hall. Staff will present a recommendation to City Council in November.
