Developer vague about timeline for the demolition of the old Sudbury hospital

A spokesperson for the developer that owns the old general hospital – one of Sudbury's most scrutinized properties – presented the most recent plan to transform the building into a 500 unit condominium complex to city council on Monday.

It's the first of a two part hearing, with a vote on the proposal expected to take place at a later date.

The last time Panoramic Properties submitted a proposal to the city council was in 2012. Back then the plan involved working around parts of the existing building to create 210 units. 

Since then very little has been done on the property, safe for the painting of Canada's largest mural, which has received equal parts admiration and scorn.

The developer's new pitch involves a 20-storey condominium building that will house 222 units and a restaurant open to the public, a 16-storey urban loft tower that would feature 199 rental apartments and there would be another 109 units in a 12-storey retirement residence.

It's unclear when this will become reality, however. 

When pressed by councillors to provide a tentative timeline for the project, Tulloch planning manager Kevin Jarus declined to offer anything specific. 

"If the process was so kind as to allow it, [the owner] would be starting construction tomorrow," he said. 

Ward 12 councillor Joscelyne Landry-Altmann continued to ask for something more specific. 

"When you come back for phase two, your homework will be to be a little bit more definitive, we hope," she said.

"It's been a long time coming. I'm sure that everyone would like to know: is it coming in five years? 10 years? 15 years? Three years?" she asked. 

"It will certainly not be 10 years," answered Jarus. "The hope is that this would certainly be under construction within five years or less." 

Jarus says the actual construction process for a project of this magnitude would take about two years. 

When asked to share plans for the demolition process, Jarus answered he was unaware of the plans to tear down the existing structure, and that he was before council to discuss the land use planning of the proposed development.

Affordability, traffic and shade among concerns of local residents 

Local resident Arthur Peach took to the podium to share his thoughts on the proposed development. 

He expressed concern about the height of the development, which he said would block the view of Ramsey Lake, and change the character of the neighborhood. 

"Does the proposed development do anything to help solve the affordable housing crisis we are all experiencing in Sudbury?" he asked. 

In response to these comments, Jarus said a good planning principle is to increase density in places that are not well used. 

He also stressed that a path for pedestrians would be included in the property, "to continue access to Bell park as it is currently enjoyed today." 

Jarus said that even if the development is not "capital A affordable" it will boost the housing supply overall, which tends to have an overall positive effect on the affordability of the housing market in general. 

In terms of next steps, the City of Greater Sudbury will continue to respond to the public's comments until the second stage of the public hearing. 

Once that step is completed, city council will have an official vote. If the application is approved, Panoramic Properties and their partner Tulloch will be in a position to apply for a building permit.