New 70-unit apartment building for low-income seniors proposed in Mississauga

A proposal for a new, seniors’ affordable apartment building will be discussed at an upcoming Mississauga meeting.

The proposal is for an eight-storey building at 4150 Westminster Place in Rathwood.

The developer requires an official plan amendment and rezoning. The property currently allows for building heights of 13 metres with four storeys and the proposal is for 34 metres and eight storeys, according to planning documents.

Staff recommend council approve the project after the developer made adjustments to the layout and relocated the garage and snow storage.

Community members can have their say on the project at the upcoming City of Mississauga Planning and Development Committee meeting on Oct. 28.

The property is already home to a three-storey 190-unit senior’s building, known as Westminster Court, which has been owned and operated by Saint Luke’s Dixie Senior Residence Corporation for over 40 years. This building will remain on the site and the new building will be owned by the same corporation, according to planning documents.

“The project will help support a vulnerable population experiencing reduced mobility and decreased income by creating new housing units targeted at low and moderate-income senior renters,” a report to the city states. “It helps meet the demand for affordable rental housing in a community experiencing a region-wide housing shortage.”

The new building will have 56 one-bedroom apartments and 14 barrier-free one-bedroom apartments. It could bring about 150 new residents.

There is a senior’s building already at 4150 Westminster Place.

The building has green initiatives in the design including superior insulation, airtight construction, and heat recovery, a green roof to reduce heat island effects and manage stormwater runoff, water-saving plumbing fixtures to conserve water  and low-impact stormwater management integrated with site design.

At a community meeting held in December 2022, Ward 3 residents expressed concerns about increased traffic and the shadow cast by the building.

A traffic study found the building would have a minimal impact to existing traffic conditions.

Studies also show there would be minimal shadow impacts on surrounding homes and public spaces. The proposal meets the City of Mississauga’s shadow impact criteria, the planning report states.

More information on the project can be found here and the Planning and Development Committee meeting is here.