A proposed new five-storey apartment building on George Street downtown got preliminary approvals from city councillors on Monday night.

The plan is to replace a derelict dollar store at 385 George St. N. with a five-storey apartment building. GTA-based developer Richard Summers is planning the redevelopment, according to a design by Toronto architect Joel Gerber.

Councillors gave the plan a preliminary rezoning and Official Plan amendment on Monday (which would need a ratification vote at a forthcoming city council meeting before the plan would be made final).

But Coun. Keith Riel, the city’s housing co-chair, said he hoped to see 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the units be offered as rent-geared-to-income.

“I’m hopeful the developer is listening tonight: there’s an absolute need for rent-geared-to-income,” Riel said.

City planner Caroline Kimble told councillors the city cannot require the inclusion of lower-rent apartments — just offer incentives, which staff has done.

Summers told The Examiner recently he might be interested in reducing the rent for some of the apartments, his plans weren’t clear.

Meanwhile councillors also agreed with a city staff recommendation to require the developer to meet certain requirements prior to construction, such as providing the city with samples of the exterior materials they propose to use.

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