County Orillia Campus Project

The Campus includes approximately 130 Simcoe County Housing Corporation (SCHC) affordable mixed units for seniors, families and individuals.

Approximately 46 units are multi-bedroom units targeted to families, and the balance of the units are 1-bedroom and studio units. All 1-bedroom and studio units follow a universal design for aging in place.

Applications received prior to November 30, 2023 were processed on a first-come, ​first-served basis. Applications ​​​​are subject to successful approval by the Simcoe County Housing Corporation. Successful applicants will be contacted in 2024 to discuss accommodations.

• The commercial/office space footprint is approximately 60,000 sq. ft.
• The compact building placement ensures the remainder of the parcel is available for future use

• The design ensures efficient use of the land and is strongly rooted in good urban planning and design practices, in collaboration with City of Orillia
• Common space allows for a safe gathering place and offers associated social and mental health benefits, including a common room for tenants with adjacent rooftop amenity area where planter box gardens have been built
• It incorporates some historical elements from former ODCVI to respect past traditions
• ​The existing arboretum has been preserved

Community and Social Services space will house County services including:

• Ontario Works
• Children and Community Services
• Social Housing

Community partners will occupy the remainder of the commercial area, with tenants such as the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON), Simcoe Muskoka Family Connexions, EarlyON Child and Family Centre, and a Licensed Child Care Centre.

The project was anticipated to cost $79 million between 2020 and 2022, including funding from municipal partners, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Priorities Housing Initiative.

• Affordable Housing estimated cost: $57 million

• Commercial/office space estimated cost: $22 million

• The campus rent/lease formula, combined with asset management strategies, result in an estimated a net benefit of approximately $800,000 in reserve contributions
• The project’s operational sustainability includes the combination of quality building materials and practices, as well as accounting for the necessary capital reserve, ensuring that the building will not require additional investment for the next 50 years

• The County and its funding partners have invested in significant affordable housing builds prior to this project:
  
  • Collingwood (2018/2019): $40 million – includes 147 units and approximately 12,000 sq. ft of commercial / office space
  • Wasaga Beach (2019/2020): $27 million – includes 99 units and no commercial/office space
  • Victoria Harbour (under development): $13.5 million – includes 41 units and no commercial/office space
  • The County is also creating additional affordable housing developments in Barrie and Bradford West Gwillimbury

• The County took a ‘shovel ready’ approach, working to have plans, studies and approvals prepared in order to be in an optimal position to receive potential additional funding opportunities​, with construction beginning in 2021.
• The first residential tenants are expected to start moving in throughout spring 2024.
• The building welcomed its first commercial tenant, Ontario Works, in March 2024.

June 1, 2022: Neighbour Project Update Report – June 1, 2022

January 21, 2022: Neighbour Project Update Report – January 21, 2022

November 1, 2021:
The County of Simcoe has submitted the following materials on August 24th, in response to feedback received from the area residents regarding the preservation of mature trees, where feasible, on the site along Borland Street East:

• Site Plan with Zoning Matrix (revised August 18, 2021) prepared by MCL Architects;

• Landscape Plans prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

1. LP-1 Landscape Concept Plan (revised August 13, 2021) prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

1. LP-2 Landscape Planting Plan (revised August 13, 2021) prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

1. LP-3 Landscape Plan Details (revised August 13, 2021) prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

1. LP-4 Site Furniture Details (revised August 13, 2021) prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

1. Tree Preservation Plan 1 (revised August 13, 2021) prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

1. Tree Preservation Plan 2 (revised Sep​tember 14, 2021)​ prepared by JDB Associates Ltd. (includes revision of Notes referencing Township of Tay to now correctly reference the City of Orillia).​

May 10, 2021:
The County of Simcoe submitted the following materials on April 29, in response to the City of Orillia for Site Plan Control re-submission comments:

• Site Plan with Zoning Matrix (revised April 27, 2021) ​prepared by MCL Architects;

• Landscape Plans prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

1. LP-1 Landscape Concept Plan
2. LP-2 Landscape Planting Plan
3. LP-3 Landscape Plan​ Details
4. LP-4 Site Furniture Details
5. LP-5 Third Floor Amenity Rooftop Plan
6. LP-6 Fourth Floor Green Roof Plan
7. LP-7 Early Education Amenity Plan

• Tree Preservation Plan 1 prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

• Tree Preservation Plan 2 prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

• Traffic Impact Study – 2^nd Addendum Letter (April 27, 2021) prepared by JD Northcote Engineering Inc.

• Site Grading Erosion Plan (April 2021) prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.;

• Stormwater Management and Servicing Report (April 2021) prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.

Notable changes to April’s Site Plan submission include the following:

• Zoning matrix revisions to address SPA comments,

• Peter Street North access connection point right-in right-out [RIRO],

• Peter Street North pedestrian crossing identified,

• Peter Street North pedestrian crossing OTM signage location identified,

• On-site sidewalk to Peter Street North pedestrian crossing relocated to south side of driveway, and

• West Street North pedestrian crossing identified

Changes to Landscape Plans, April 28, 2021, include the following:

• LP2 – The deciduous tree density has been increased on Borland Street frontage and a second row of conifers has been added

• LP3 – bus shelter design included

As part of the City of Orillia’s consultation reporting requirements, the County has recently submitted a copy of all written comments received and a record of all comments and/or concerns that have been received from residents. A summary of the comments and suggestions received during the public information session process, response to the comments, and summary of changes as a result of the consultation are included in the Consultation Report.

Throughout the consultation process, comparisons have been made between the proposed development and the former school that was located on the site. Included for reference is an overlay of the proposed development. The development overlay demonstrates the proposed building is setback further from the Borland Street East frontage and shifted closer to West Street North than the former school building. The proposed development will be oriented to frame the nearest streets with a 5.7-metre (18.7-foot) setback from the property line to West Street North and an 8.3-metre (27.2-foot) setback from the property line to Borland Street East.

The proposed siting of the building is intended to be sensitive to the existing residential uses along Borland Street East and Peter Street North. As such, the new building will be approximately 4.2 metres (14 feet) further back from Borland Street than the former school and 15.2 metres (50 feet) further away from Peter Street residents.

In addition, the former school ranged in building height and is estimated to have been 9.7 metres high along Borland Street East. The requested height of the four (4) storey wing along Borland Street East is proposed to be 14.5 metres (including the parapet). The height of the six (6)-storey wing along West Street North is proposed to be 20.5 metres (including the parapet).

Additional compatibility analysis is included in section 5.0 of the Land Use Planning Report – Land use Compatibility Analysis (February 2021), previously submitted to the City of Orillia and available for viewing in the February 26, 2021 update below.​

March 11, 2021:
​​​The County would like to thank all those who took part in our Public Engagements on Wednesday, March 10. View our presentation here.​ You can also watch our afternoon and evening ​​Public Information Sessions. ​A full transcript of the Q and A portions of our sessions is also available here​.

February 25, 2021:
In support of the County’s requested site-specific Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment, the following documents have been submitted to the City of Orillia for the proposed development of County of Simcoe Social and Community Services and Housing Development:

• ​Application form for the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment (OPA/ZBA​);

• Site Plan with Zoning Matrix, prepared by MCL Architects;

• Concept Elevations, prepared by MCL Architects;​

• Land Use Planning Report – Land use Compatibility  Analysis OPA & ZBA, prepared by County of Simcoe;

• Archaeology Phase 1 and 2 (Archaeological Assessment), prepared by ASI;

• Parking Needs Study – Traffic Impact Study and Addendum Letter​, prepared by JD Northcote Engineering Inc.;

• Servicing & Stormwater Management Plan, prepared by Pearson Engineering;

• Geotechnical/Hydrogeological Investigation, prepared by Peto MacCallum Ltd.;

• Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment, prepared by Valcoustics Canada Ltd.;

• Shadow Study​, prepared by MCL Architects;

• Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment, prepared by Peto MacCallum Ltd.

February 1, 2021:
The County of Simcoe has submitted the following materials in response to the City of Orillia for Site Plan Control submission comments:

• Site Plan with Zoning Matrix (revised January 29, 2021)​ prepared by MCL Architects;

• Electrical Site Plan – High Voltage Coordination prepared by Tristar Engineering;

• Electrical Site Plan – Lighting Coordination prepared by Tristar Engineering;

• Landscape Plan & Details prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;​​​​

1. LP-1 Landscape Concept Plan

1. LP-2 Landscape Planting Plan​​

1. LP-3 Landscape Plan Details

1. LP-4 Site Furniture Details

1. LP-5 Third Floor Amenity Rooftop Plan

1. LP-6 Fourth Floor Green Roof Plan

1. LP-7 Early Education Amenity Plan

• Tree Preservation Plan 1prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

• Tree Preservation Plan 2 prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;

• Traffic Impact Study – Addendum Letter (January 18, 2021)​ prepared by JD Northcote Engineering Inc.

• Site Grading Erosion Plan prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.;

• Stormwater Management and Servicing Report prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.

December 16, 2020:

Planning Approvals​
The County of Simcoe has submitted application to the City of Orillia for Site Plan Control Approval (SPA). As part of the County’s SPA submission the following plans and studies were included in support of the application:

• Application form for Site Plan Control prepared by the County of Simcoe;

• Application form for Deeming By-law prepared by the County of Simcoe;

• Site Plan with Zoning Matrix prepared by MCL Architects;

• Building Elevations prepared by MCL Architects;

• Lighting Plan with Photometric Analysis prepared by Tristar Engineering;

• Landscape Plan & Details prepared by JDB Associates Ltd.;​

• Entrance Analysis included in the Traffic Impact Study prepared by JD Northcote Engineering Inc.;

• Site Grading Plan prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.;

• Site Servicing Plan prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.;

• Erosion and Sediment Control Plan prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.;

• Drainage Area Plan prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.;​

• Geotechnical Report prepared by Terraprobe Inc.;

• Stormwater Management Report prepared by Pearson Engineering Ltd.; 

• Waste Survey Report prepared by the County of Simcoe.

Prior to SPA approval, applications for Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) are also required to permit the proposed affordable housing development with on-site multi-generational social and community services. To address the City of Orillia’s OPA and ZBA application requirements, the following additional plans and studies have been initiated in support of the County’s applications:

• Planning Justification Report

• Archaeology Phase 1 and 2 (Archaeological Assessment)

• Parking Needs Study – Traffic Impact Study

• Hydrogeological Study

• Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment

• Shadow Impact Analysis

It is anticipated the County’s OPA and ZBA applications and supporting documents will be submitted to the City of Orillia early in 2021.

August 11, 2020:

County of Simcoe Council has approved plans to move forward on the significant development of the new County Orillia Campus at the former Orillia District Collegiate Vocational Institute (ODCVI) site, purchased by the County in 2018. The County’s Orillia Campus development will be a multi-generational, mixed-use hub containing affordable housing, community services, and County supportive services.

The County’s Orillia Campus will result in a significant portion of the affordable housing targets being achieved for the overall area including the City of Orillia, and Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara, and Severn, and will benefit the broader neighbourhood by helping to alleviate barriers to accessing essential community and social services, with a variety of support programs provided on one site.

The campus approach provides efficiencies and economies of scale through the inclusion of affordable housing units (rent based on 80 per cent of average market rates), combined with significant commercial/office space for rent/lease. This campus rent/lease formula combined with asset management strategies, results in an estimated annual net benefit of approximately $800,000 in annual reserve contributions. In addition, the campus’ operational sustainability includes the combination of quality building materials and practices, as well as accounting for the necessary capital reserve, ensuring that the building will not require additional investment for the next 50 years.

Across the region, the demand for affordable housing has been identified in the County’s 10-Year Affordable Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy. The Strategy’s goal is to achieve 2,685 affordable housing units by 2024. As of December 31, 2019, a total of approximately 1,900 affordable housing units have been created county-wide. The general target for the creation of affordable housing units identified in the Strategy for the City of Orillia, and the Townships of Oro-Medonte, Ramara and Severn is a total of 392 units. At the start of 2020, approximately 220 new units had already been achieved.

June 3, 2020:

In January, Council approved extending a Request for Proposal (RFP) for architectural design firms. The contract was awarded for a feasibility study, site plan and conceptual design, seeking input from staff and stakeholders, including the City of Orillia, along the way.

On June 23, a detailed report​ for the County’s Orillia community hub development, titled – County Orillia Campus Project, will be presented to County Council for review. The report will provide an overview of the preliminary design and costing, and seek approval for next steps for the campus-like development including proceeding with the required planning approvals, public and stakeholder engagement, detailed design and cost analysis.

Updates will continue to be posted on the County’s website as the project progresses. Pending County Council’s direction, further design w​​​ork will continue and community engagement will occur through available participation methods, including virtual town hall style meetings as needed. More details will be provided in the coming months regarding engagement opportunities.

A​ugust 11 Joint County Council and Committee of the Whole report – County Orillia Campus Development​