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Residents concerned over proposed downtown Alliston development project

November 12, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

A proposed development in downtown Alliston has some local residents concerned about neighbourhood compatibility, parking, traffic, property values and long-term planning in the town.

Residents voiced their concerns at a Committee of Adjustment meeting at town hall on Thursday, Nov. 5.

The committee moved the issue to the start of the meeting as they knew several people were going to speak, rather than follow the agenda and have everyone wait until later in the evening.

A Minor Variance Application has been submitted by Luca Chandler of Studio Deep on behalf of 2551832 Ontario Inc., the registered property owners.

The proposed development includes 72 stacked townhouses within three townhouse blocks with on-site underground parking. The units are considered micro-units, each having two bedrooms and very little living space.

The location of the proposed development is 169-189 Victoria St. E. and 10 Lorne St. in Alliston.

The developer states that the goal of this type of development will promote growth densities and design that will support a future transit network, and promote development in the downtown areas that combine commercial, residential and other land use to facilitate the more efficient use of urban land and the establishment of a human-scale pedestrian environment.

A spokesperson from the developer gave a presentation at the meeting, detailing the project and providing renderings of what the final building will look like.

The property where the proposed development will be has five lots with older homes on those lots as well as one vacant lot.

The visitor gallery during the meeting was packed, and several residents spoke about various issues with the project.

Everyone who spoke lives in close proximity to the planned project.

One common thread was that they had not been notified of the project or the meeting and only found out about it through social media.

One resident said the units were too small and expressed a concern about the families currently living in houses on the affected property.

Some of the residents at the meeting have properties that abut the development property and said having a large new building next to their house would complicate everything from traffic to sunlight.

There is also concern about increased traffic on Victoria Street and a lack of parking, which would force some residents to park in nearby parking lots.

A main concern was that this is being considered a ‘minor variance’, when several residents pointed out that according to the plans, this project should be considered a major variance.

The Committee of Adjustment agreed to this and suggested the project be given to the Zoning Committee. 

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