Destroyed by fire, Burlington house was slated for redevelopment

An abandoned house that was gutted by fire in Aldershot early Saturday (May 25) was recently approved for redevelopment.

Arson is suspected in the blaze.

Located at 284 Plains Road East, the structure, along with two other adjacent former homes, will be the future site of a 7-storey apartment building that was approved by Burlington city council last week.

Fire crews arrived at the scene around 3:30 a.m. where they were met by flames and heavy smoke coming from the building that that had been converted to office use in recent years before it was sold to developers.

The Ontario Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate the cause but initial reports suggest the fire may have been deliberately set.

Estimated damage was set at $850,000 for the structure that would have ultimately been demolished to make way for the apartment building.

Located between Filmandale Road and Shadeland Avenue, the development plan calls for a 7-storey building with 141 living units of one, two and three bedrooms on the three properties at 276, 284 and 292 Plains Road East.

The site will also include 153 parking spaces of which 100 will be underground and a roof area that be used for recreational purposes.

The project was originally announced in 2021 and has undergone several revisions including the height which was initially proposed to be six stories.

Although the city has given its approval, those who oppose the project have a limited time to appeal the decision at the Ontario Land Tribunal.