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Boston Police report arresting a Dorchester man on charges he scooped up toys and sneakers awaiting delivery on porches in the area of Rosecliff Terrace and Cliftondale Street in Roslindale early Sunday evening.

Responding officers soon located the suspect and performed a pat frisk which led to the recovery of a Sig Sauer handgun from the suspects waistband which was later determined to be a BB gun. Officers also recovered a stolen pair of sneakers which had been removed from packaging which was addressed to the home on Rosecliff Terrace. Officers continued their investigation and were able to recover several toys which had been removed from their packaging and discarded by the suspect on Cliftondale Street.

Johnatan Cordero-Garcia, 23, was charged with larceny under $1,200 and receiving stolen property, police say.

Innocent, etc.

Link:
Police: Grinch was packing a BB gun when he rifled through packages on people's porches in Roslindale - Universal Hub

A Stanwood woman reported money stolen from her purse after a moving company had delivered and installed furniture in her home on 65th Drive NW.

A Stanwood man, 46, was arrested for restraining order violation in the 26600 block of 72nd AVE NW.

A Stanwood woman, 38, and a Stanwood boy, 13, were referred for assault in the 6800 block of 282nd Place NW.

A Stanwood resident reported her vehicle was stolen in the 26600 block of 72nd Avenue NW.

A Stanwood woman, 38, was required to surrender firearms in relation to a protection order in the 6800 block of 282nd Place NW.

A Stanwood man, 79, was arrested for willfully violating a contact restriction order in the 8800 block of Viking Way NW.

A Stanwood man, 45, was referred for two counts of assault in the 27100 block of 104th Drive NW.

A leaf blower was stolen from a business in the 8800 block of 272nd Street NW.

Ground venison was reported stolen from a freezer in the 7400 block of 272nd Street NW.

A theft occurred in the 26900 block of 92nd Avenue NW; a suspect was trespassed from the business. No charges were filed.

A Stanwood woman, 52, was arrested for assault in the 9700 block of 272nd Place NW.

A burglary occurred in the 26800 block of 90th Avenue NW.

A business in the 27000 block of 102nd Avenue NW reported a battery being stolen out of a work van.

A 15-year-old Camano Island juvenile was referred for possession of drug paraphernalia in the 7400 block of 272nd Street NW.

A business in the 9500 block of 271st Street NW had four company checks forged and cashed.

A 34-year-old Camano Island man was arrested for an outstanding warrant in the 26800 block of Pioneer Highway NW.

A business in the 26900 block 104th DR NW reported an employee-involved theft.

Items were stolen from a jobsite in the 7000 block of 265th Street NW.

A juveniles disturbing Snapchat message was reported in the 7000 block of 272nd Street NW.

Packages were stolen from the porches of several homes in the 6900 block of Church Creek Loop NW. The packages were located and suspects, ages 14 and 15, from Camano Island are being charged with theft and possession of stolen property.

A Stanwood man, 27, was arrested in the 7400 block of 272nd Place NW for an outstanding warrant, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Identity theft was reported in the 9900 block of 272nd Place NW.

A Child Protective Services report was filed in the 27000 block of 72nd Avenue NW.

Items were stolen from a locker in the 7200 block of 267th Street NW. The victim's credit card was used.

In the 8700 block of 272nd Street NW, a mother reported disturbing chat messages between her son and his friends. All juveniles' parents were contacted.

An Arlington male, 21, was arrested for driving while license suspended on Pioneer Highway.

A Stanwood male, 18, was arrested for vehicle prowling and possession of drugs in the 28000 block of 73rd Avenue NW.

A Stanwood male, 15, was arrested for possession of stolen property and making false-misleading statement to public servant.

A Stanwood male, 18, was arrested for vehicle prowling in the 27000 block of 70th Ave NW.

A vehicle prowl was reported in the 7200 block of 267th Street NW.

Police assisted fire with a possible overdose in the 7600 block of 273rd Street NW. Firefighters gave the female NARCAN, she then regained consciousness.

Two vehicle prowls occurred in the 26000 block of 74th Avenue NW.

A vehicle prowl occurred in the 26000 block of 74th Avenue NW.

A male, 34, was trespassed from a property in the 27000 block of 78th Avenue NW.

A vehicle prowl occurred in the 26000 block of 72nd Avenue NW.

Originally posted here:
Stanwood Police reports: Car prowls and porch thefts - goskagit.com

Taking your dog with you everywhere just got a whole lot easier with the new bill that was just passed in Austin. The Texas Senate just passed a bill requiring food establishments to permit dogs on outdoor patios. But additional rules come with this newly passed bill; the first being that dogs must remain on the patio and cannot drink from human glasses. Second, the pets must access the patio directly from the exterior of the establishment. In addition, the establishment must post a sign clearly stating that dogs are permitted in the outdoor area. Also, the dog must be kept controlled on a leash and is not allowed to sit on the chairs or table.

Many areas around Texas including San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Dallas and Houston already have laws similar to this one in place, so it was about time that Austin came around. Unfortunately, there are still other cities in Texas who, either have no law in place or they have what some owners consider heavy fees and inspections from health departments associated with allowing dogs on the property. So, make sure if you are visiting these cities you are aware of their laws so you dont get fined or have your dog impounded.

Since the bill has passed, dog lovers from all over the Austin and Georgetown area are now looking forward to having their lovable pets tag along more often. Just remember to be a responsible pet owner. Know your dogs limits and be respectful to those who may not share your love of dogs. Make sure your dog is well trained and socialized to be around other pets and small children. And remember as you share the city sights with your loyal pet, not to let your dog overheat when walking on hot summer asphalt pavement or lock your loved pet in a car with closed windows. Your responsible behavior will validate Austins decision to allow pups on patios. Thank you Austin!

Originally posted here:
Puppies on Patios in Austin - The Megaphone

The shingle and stone colonial house at 4 Blind Brook Road South sits along a babbling brook and across the street from Nashs Pond.

The shingle and stone colonial house at 4 Blind Brook Road South sits along a babbling brook and across the street from Nashs Pond.

Photo: SR Photo, LLC All Rights Reserved

The shingle and stone colonial house at 4 Blind Brook Road South sits along a babbling brook and across the street from Nashs Pond.

The shingle and stone colonial house at 4 Blind Brook Road South sits along a babbling brook and across the street from Nashs Pond.

On the Market: A luxury retreat with fishing pond

WESTPORT Since its inception in 1974, the multiple award-winning Pagliaro Bartels architectural firm has gained a stellar reputation particularly for exceptional waterfront architecture throughout the country.

We design buildings that reflect a union between man, earth and the environment, working with natural light to enhance spatial flow and convey a sense of warmth and grandness, the firms website said.

That interaction between structure and surroundings receives the firms excellence in the design and built process, whether the waterfront is the vastness of Long Island Sound or the babbling Blind Brook.

This is evidenced by Roger Bartels masterful re-imagining and renovation of the brown-colored colonial house at 4 Blind Brook Road South on a cul-de-sac in the Old Hill section of Westport. It sits on a 0.68-acre level property along Blind Brook, across the street from Nashs Pond.

Wake up to water views and the sound of your own backyard waterfall, hop on your standup paddle board and hit Nashs pond, the listing agent said, adding residents of this house can also fish for large-mouth bass and boat on the pond.

They can actually fish right from their own property in the brook and enjoy birdwatching. And because Blind Brook is a private road, it is perfect for bike riding and strolling. The house is also within walking distance of Earthplace the Nature Discovery Center, which provides a number of nature programs and has hiking trails.

This property feels like a luxury retreat while still being just a stones throw from Westports well-known amenities including downtown, schools, Compo Beach and commuter trains, the agent said. Residents can walk to downtown, about a mile away, for coffee, dinner and shopping. Post Road (Route 1) is also easily accessible from this location.

The eight-room shingle style house was originally built in 1954 and was loved and maintained by the same family for the last 65 years. The front of the wood and stone house with green shutters features a flagstone patio, and the front facade features a second floor turret over the entrance.

There is a larger flagstone patio with a stone sitting wall in the backyard. The front door opens into a 3,686-square-foot living and entertaining space with generously sized rooms and an ease of flow from one to the next. Greeting visitors is a recessed display case.

Features in the formal living room include a red brick fireplace and coffered ceiling. The living room is open to the formal dining room, the two separated only by a counter space and columns. The dining room has built-in shelving and a recessed area for a buffet or hutch. The recently renovated eat-in kitchen is equipped with quartz countertops, a breakfast bar, beverage refrigerator, Sub-Zero and Bosch appliances, and a door to the patio and yard.

In one wing of the first floor there are three bedrooms. At the opposite end in the family room there is a stone fireplace, a wet bar with a granite counter and glass shelving for stemware storage, and a door to the patio and yard.

STYLE: Colonial

ADDRESS: 4 Blind Brook Road South

PRICE: $1,399,000

ROOMS: 8

FEATURES: 0.68-acre level property, located on a cul-de-sac, stream, water view of stream and Nashs Pond, walk to water, footbridge, flagstone patio, own backyard waterfall, flagpole, walking distance to Earthplace - the Discovery Nature Center; proximity to downtown shops and restaurants, the newly renovated public library, and the Levitt Pavilion; two fireplaces, attached under house two-car garage, central air conditioning, zoned oil heat, basement crawl space, attic, ample storage space, public water and sewer connections, four bedrooms, three full and two half baths

SCHOOLS: Kings Highway Elementary, Bedford Middle, Staples High

ASSESSMENT: $1,026,400

MILL RATE: 16.86 mills

TAXES: $17,305

HOA FEE: $500, paid annually

A floating staircase leads to the private master bedroom suite. French doors open into the spacious room, which has a tall vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet, wall-to-wall carpeting, and water views from the front and rear windows. The luxurious master bath is set in the front turret and has a jetted tub, shower and vanity topped in granite.

There is a massive second-floor bonus room with plenty of space for an office, playroom, gym or an additional family room.

For more information or to make an appointment to see the house contact Judy Michaelis of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage at 203-247-5000 or Judy.Michaelis@coldwellbankermoves.com.

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On the Market: A luxury retreat with fishing pond - Westport News

BAR FLY PALM HARBOR/ FACEBOOK

Safety Harbors Bar Fly, a fly fishing-inspired bar and restaurant, debuted a second location in Palm Harbor at1026 Nebraska Ave.

There are many similarities between the Safety Harbor and Palm Harbor Bar Fly locations, like their casual seafood oriented menu, a gift shop where Bar Fly swag is sold and a laid back atmosphere. Unlike its Safety Harbor sister, the Palm Harbor location features a large outdoor patio and a stage for bands. The outdoor lounge area is fully decked out in tiki decor and hand-painted Sweetwater Brewing Company logos. Owners Jeff and Celeste Harrell been putting the new Palm Harbor stage to use, with reggae and jam bands playing almost every weekend.

Theres also indoor seating for patrons whod like to enjoy their tuna nachos and fish hooked-shaped pretzels in the air-conditioned peace.

The Palm Harbor location is open 11:30 a.m-11 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, and is closed Monday.

Want to know everything going on with Tampa Bay's food and drink scene? Sign up for ourBites newsletter.

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Safety Harbor's Bar Fly opens second location in Palm Harbor - Creative Loafing Tampa

In the formal dining room there is paneling on the lower walls, sliding doors to the deck and backyard, and a serving counter.

In the formal dining room there is paneling on the lower walls, sliding doors to the deck and backyard, and a serving counter.

In the formal dining room there is paneling on the lower walls, sliding doors to the deck and backyard, and a serving counter.

In the formal dining room there is paneling on the lower walls, sliding doors to the deck and backyard, and a serving counter.

On the Market: Updated ranch in Easton boasts many new features

By Meg Barone

EASTON The sage green-colored ranch house with black shutters at 36 Northwood Drive wears its age very well. With all its recent renovations this house is actually closer to new, even though it was originally built in 1962.

A brand new roof was literally just installed so the next owners wont have to think about that expense for decades to come. The whole house has been updated with a new high efficiency heating system, new lighting, a new well filtration system, fresh paint in modern colors, updated bathrooms, and a remodeled eat-in kitchen. Two of the homes three full baths were recently updated with new vanities and marble countertops. Those improvements combined with the growing interest in one-level living makes this house quite desirable.

The nine-room, 3,242-square-foot house is set on a level property of 3.59 acres on a cul-de-sac in the Easton Center section of town. This location makes it convenient to several local farms, the center of town, and Routes 59 and 136 for easy travel into the towns of Fairfield, Westport, and Monroe. Its just a short drive to the Merritt Parkway.

A long driveway, lined in Belgium block, leads to the property which offers ultimate privacy because the house is set very well back from the roadway and it is also cloaked by a border of trees. A large front lawn is the perfect place for games and sporting activities. In the front garden, also lined with Belgium block, there is a flagpole.

Inside, the formal living room features a large picture window flanked by double-hung windows and a quarried stone fireplace with a raised hearth and a wood-burning stove insert. The fireplace is not up against a wall but stands in the middle of the floor between the living and dining rooms. In the formal dining room there is paneling on the lower walls, sliding doors to the deck and backyard, and in one section there is a peninsular counter topped with quartzite that separates this room and the kitchen. This feature is especially helpful when entertaining or serving buffet-style meals. A second such counter was built between the preparation section of the kitchen and the breakfast nook, which is set in a bay/bow window area. The kitchen also has new stainless steel appliances, new cabinets, and a white ceramic tile backsplash in a diagonal pattern rather than the more typical subway tile arrangement.

On the main living level there are three of the homes four bedrooms, including the master suite. The fourth bedroom is found on the finished walkout lower level, which offers more than 1,000 square feet of living space and could make for the perfect in-law or au pair setup, according to the listing agent. This lower level also has a spacious family or a media room with wall-to-wall carpeting, a fireplace this one also has a stove insert, a full bath, and an exercise or recreation room. The laundry room is on the main level and it has a utility sink and a door to the attached two-car garage.

TYPE: Ranch

ADDRESS: 36 Northwood Drive, Easton

PRICE: $514,900

NUMBER OF ROOMS: 9

FEATURES: 3.59-acre level and partially fenced property, located on a cul-de-sac, paving stone patio, large deck, exterior lighting, fully fenced backyard, professionally landscaped, brand new roof (just installed), new high efficiency heating system, new lighting, freshly painted, renovated kitchen with new appliances and cabinets, propane added for gas range, programmable thermostat, one fireplace, wood-burning stove, pre-wired for cable, close to the center of Easton and town amenities, just about five miles from the Merritt Parkway, full finished walkout lower level (possible in-law suite), attic, renovated laundry room, stone wall, attached two-car garage, central air conditioning, zoned oil heat, tank-less hot water, private well, four bedrooms, three baths

SCHOOLS: Samuel Staples Elementary, Helen Keller Middle, Joel Barlow High

ASSESSMENT: $332,890

TAX RATE: 31.33 mills

TAXES: $10,429

Outside, the fully fenced backyard is perfect for keeping children and dogs safe, although this cul-de-sac is rather quiet and not well traveled. In addition to the deck there is a paving stone patio. Under the raised deck there is storage space for lawn equipment.

For more information or to make an appointment to see the house contact Bette Gigliotti-Green of The Gigliotti Group and William Raveis Real Estate at 203-451-0040 or Bettegig1@gmail.com .

View original post here:
On the Market: Updated ranch in Easton boasts many new features - CTPost

You love to see it. Fortunatos used to be a go-to spot for me, and many others I Imagine, while wandering Central Avenue on any given weekend night (but especially First Friday). I came to love it as an Eckerd student, so I was never too surprised to see a line out the door for a thick Fortunats slice.

In early November, the pizza joint reemerged in Gulfport, an area with a burgeoning food scene. Seriously, if you havent had Smokin Js, go to Smokin Js. The pickles, the pulled pork, THE RIBS. One Thanksgiving I got a smoked turkey from this BBQ joint and I still think about it to this day.

But I digress, were here to talk pizza. Fortunatos is now open at 3038 Beach Boulevard South. Its been open for a little over a month at this point.

Guests can enjoy quaint outdoor and patio seating as the work to form the perfect pizza fold.

Fortunatos Gulfport menu has featured specials such as a bacon jalapeo flatbread, a salmon cake appetizer, and prosciutto wrapped pork loin.

The restaurants current hours are:

Lunch 11:30am-2:30pm Tuesday, Saturday & SundayDinner 4pm-10pm Tuesday-Sunday

Fortunatos menu is loaded with hand tossed and Sicilians pizzas. All diners should try the Chicken Milanese Signature Sandwich at least once. The hearty lunch option features arugula, fresh mozzarella, red onion, pesto and mayo.

This opening follows similar resurgences in the Gulfport culinary community. A Friend Who Bakes is delivering something tasty to residents who have a serious sweet tooth.

Stellas, a popular breakfast spot, recently opened in a new expanded space, too.

See more here:
Fortunato's officially open in Gulfport - I Love the Burg

ExperiencedReliableOriginal

We bring experienced, reliable and timely service to every project were invited to work on. Thats because we know what a high priority project is for our clients. At Superdraft, weve spent years recruiting the most innovative and experienced designers. Well find a custom team that will understand your commercial project, realise your vision, and see it through to the finish. The architectural, drafting and IT departments know what it takes to provide exceptional service and unparalleled value to Superdraft clients.

Since starting in 2011, our designers and engineers have completed over 3500 projects across Australia in just a few short years.Were likely the largestteam of architects and designers operating in Australia today, with a commitment to environmental sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Look throughour portfolioto see key features from our wide range of completed projects. Youll also be treated to a peek into the future of Superdraft through our works in progress.

We are committed to ensuring our projects run as smoothly as possible, and we value performance feedback. When you partner with Superdraft for a commercial project our support team will be by your side every step of the way. Be confident in your choice of architectural service and enjoy watching your vision build before your eyes.

Want to find out more? Want to begin your journey with Superdraft?Get in touchwith the team today.

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Commercial Architectural Services | Superdraft

A partial architectural rendering of Castlepoint Numas 3C from New Yorks SHoP Architects. The connecting skybridge is a semi-industrial echo of the nearby Cherry St. bascule bridge, spanning a shipping channel on the citys Inner Harbour.

Castlepoint Numa

If theres one thing that Alfredo Romano is proud of when it comes to his 3C Waterfront development, it might be the way it debunks an old real estate adage the one that says you cant have dissimilar income and demographic brackets co-existing on the same piece of high-priced real estate.

I dont want to create exclusive neighbourhoods, says Mr. Romano, president of Toronto-based Castlepoint Numa. Its not what were about and its not what the city should be about. Toronto is so tightly woven that unless you integrate housing types across the city you end up creating ghettos. Urbanistically, its better to have mixed neighbourhoods.

3C Waterfront will be exactly that on a grand scale. A 2.5-million-square-foot community of commercial, residential and public buildings on a 13.5-acre strip of prime real estate abutting the Keating Channel, the 1,000-metre long waterway in Toronto that connects the Don River to inner Toronto Harbour on Lake Ontario. Thats an area roughly the size of Nathan Phillips Square, and 1.5 times the square footage of the Britains second tallest building, One Canada Square located at Londons Canary Wharf.

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The defining structures at 3C Waterfront will be a 50,000-square-foot arts complex with multimedia programming and three towers, each a maximum height of 50 storeys. In a bid to attain Gold Certification under the globally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, exteriors of the buildings will be made from precast, energy efficient materials instead of traditional glazing. These precast exteriors will retain heat in winter and stay cooler in summer, making the building complex more efficient throughout the year.

Also slated for the development are mid-rise, residential finger buildings, including some 225 affordable homes (10 per cent of the total) for lower income families and professionals.

A aerial view of the Keating and Quayside precincts, abutting the Keating Channel on Torontos eastern waterfront.

Castlepoint Numa

Typically, developers build separate entrances, lobbies and even structures to accommodate whats known in the industry as inclusionary zoning, but 3C Waterfront is making a point of avoiding this poor door syndrome.

Trying to make affordability and creating a sense of community ought to be the top priority in any development, says Mitch Kosny, a long-time professor and associate director of Ryerson Universitys School of Urban and Regional Planning. Having a sociodemographic mix is normal and appropriate. Its the definition of a healthy community and its pretty much what most Canadians grew up with. Homogeneity is not what we should be building.

At the heart of 3C Waterfront will be a pedestrian zone featuring a Barcelona-style plaza, which will serve as a kind of urban mixing bowl. Alternately fed by boulevards and compact laneways what the Dutch called woonerfs or living streets because they prioritize human movement over other forms of traffic it will be flanked by Shibuya-style shops and Les Halles-reminiscent caf terraces. Also planned is a red brick tunnel linking 3C with the historic Distillery District to the immediate north, creating a supersized pedestrian zone that will connect to the lakeshore promenade.

A huge amount of brainpower was sourced locally and internationally to realize 3C, says Mr. Romano, who also developed Torontos 58-storey L Tower condos on the Esplanade and the new Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in the Lower Junction. Its European in intent with high design values, which is why the first firm we hired for the master plan was Foster + Partners.

London-based Foster + Partners is a kind of Georges Braque or Giorgio de Chirico of the design world, whose cubist-influenced designs include the Kuwait International Airport and The One skyscraper at Yonge and Bloor Canadas tallest building at 85-storeys. In total, six leading architectural firms collaborated on 3C, including Torontos KPMB Architects, Montreals Claude Cormier + Associates and New Yorks SHoP Architects.

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A pedestrian area will be at the heart of 3C Waterfront.

Castlepoint Numa

But for all its progressive thinking and innovative design, 3C Waterfront which is being developed by Castlepoint Numa in partnership with Cityzen Development Group and Continental Ventures has been somewhat lost in the shadows of its attention-hogging new neighbour, Google affiliate Sidewalk Labs. Sidewalks controversial proposal for an experimental smart hub on a 12-acre parcel at Quayside slightly smaller than 3C Waterfront with an assessed value of $590-million has almost entirely dominated the conversation and media coverage surrounding the future of the eastern waterfront.

What will be transformative for the area is incremental, high quality development from a variety of players, Mr. Romano says. Sidewalk Labs could become a part of that constellation.

In fact, 3C and Quayside have much in common, with some industry watchers describing 3C as Quayside minus the surveillance and data collection. For example, both are working on a large canvas not only in terms of scale, but also coherence and vision. As the biggest private sector development on Torontos private waterfront land, terms like community building, livability and affordability were front and centre in 3C planning conversations, right from the start.

Both projects have major roles to play in the extension of Queens Quay East as the public spine of the eastern waterfront, says Bruce Kuwabara, founding partner at Torontos KPMB Architects who helped articulate 3Cs master plan. They should complement one another by creating centres of gathering that serve both precincts.

A rendering of how the area will look once Castlepoint Numas 3C Waterfront, lower right, and Sidewalk Labs Quayside, behind, are completed.

Castlepoint Numa

Waterfront Toronto, a powerful not-for-profit mandated by three levels of government (including the City of Toronto) to deliver a revitalized waterfront, is spearheading a push for housing affordability. It stipulates that at minimum, 20 per cent of residential units built on the waterfront must be made available to market at a 20 per cent discount, as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). For example, data shows that a one-bedroom apartment in Toronto today rents for an average of $1,270 a month whereas, according to Waterfront Torontos definition of affordable rent, the same unit would be available for $1,016 a month.

According to this formula, Sidewalk Labs proposes to make 20 per cent of all residential units affordable, with at least a quarter of those going to people with pronounced affordability needs. Another 20 per cent of residential units will be set aside for middle-income households. The missing middle is an area of need that has been repeatedly highlighted by government and leading thinkers on housing, but is often left out of development plans, says Keerthana Rang, associate director of communications at Sidewalk Labs.

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Im a big advocate for affordable housing so I like that 3C is putting together all the ingredients for a complete community, says Meg Davis, chief development officer at Waterfront Toronto, noting that 3C and Quayside together are expected to deliver about 725 affordable homes.

By some estimates, if even 10 per cent of the kind of city-wide inclusionary zoning mandated by Waterfront Toronto had been enacted 25 years ago, an additional stock of 50,000 affordable homes would now be available in Toronto a figure that could have significantly diminished the ongoing sting of this citys worst ever housing crisis.

But with Toronto developers cancelling numerous condo projects in recent years (Castlepoint Numas Museum FLTS among them), creating affordability has become even more difficult.

The industry used to count on certain cost increases and timelines that are no longer reliable, Mr. Romano says. I will never again launch a project unless Im sure the regulatory framework is completely solved.

That does not, however, change Mr. Romanos commitment to what he calls values-based development. Not everything comes down to a simple numerical value and the bottom line, says Mr. Romano, noting that Castlepoint Numa plans to build about 500 affordable homes in the next 10 years, all independently of government assistance. A majority will be erected on the eastern waterfront, where Castlepoint also owns a five-acre property on nearby Cherry Street.

So much of Torontos future as a livable megacity hinges on successful, thoughtful expansion. But how will the area look in 10 years? Well have neighbourhoods that are diverse, walkable, compact and affordable, says KPMB Architects Mr. Kuwabara. There will be increased bicycle usage and a demand for social services including daycare and schools.

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Adds Mr. Romano: When I first started building here 25 years ago there was almost nothing east of Yonge St. except derelict buildings. Seeing everything come together like this is enormously satisfying.

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Affordable housing is possible, even in Torontos downtown core - The Globe and Mail

After multiple reviews, revisions and hours-long discussions, the Bolton property rezoning request is moving forward.

The Mentor Planning Commission on Dec. 9 approved a preliminary proposal to rezone about 186 acres northeast of routes 615 and 84 from C-1, Conservation District and R-4, Single-Family Residential to Planned Mixed Use Development.

The commissions positive recommendation now goes to City Council, which will review it and conduct a public hearing. Council can accept, reject or modify the proposal, which would also require voter approval.

If it passes, they come back for the final site development process, Law Director Joseph Szeman said. The key is that the final plan has to be in substantial agreement with the preliminary.

Project representative Chris Hermann, principal of Columbus-based MKSK Studios, came to the meeting armed with good news.

He announced that a deal had been reached between the Bolton family and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy to preserve about 69 acres of ancient forest on the property, at 8021 Center St.

Conservancy President Rich Cochran was on hand to explain the significance of protecting such a site.

Ive been president of this organization for 23 years and, to my knowledge, theres only one (other) forest like this in Northeast Ohio, Cochran said. It happens to be in Wayne County; its called Johnson Woods. And I dont think theres another one like it, so were extremely excited to be working to preserve this property.

I can tell you that if this becomes a preserve, tree-lovers from all over the state, and perhaps from beyond the state, will come to visit just to see these trees. Thats how unique and rare and special they are.

About half the preservation area is in Kirtland Hills.

The development proposal also calls for about 55 acres of residential use on the northern end and roughly 32 acres by Interstate 90 as commercial. Forty-two acres in between is designated a town center.

Under the proposed zoning, a maximum of eight units per acre could be built, or nearly 1,500. However, the applicant is requesting permission for up to 650 total units.

The site also could support an upper midscale class, limited-service hotel of 80 to 100 keys by 2020, according to a market study presented previously.

Four residential types are proposed: single-family with medium lots, 50 feet wide with vehicle access and garages in the rear, and porches in the front; single-family with 30-foot-wide lots; townhouses and estates.

Ken Kalynchuk of Project Management Consultants LLC has indicated that the development could generate more than $600,000 per year through income and real estate taxes, and 500-plus jobs.

Build out is projected for 2030.

We think this is going to be a fantastic development both for the people that live and work here as well as all of the residents of Mentor, Hermann said. Were excited to move forward with this. We hope you are too.

While the applicant seeks to retain and repurpose the Bolton mansion, commission member Geoffrey Varga sought a condition guaranteeing that it wouldnt be demolished or allowed to deteriorate.

Project representatives expressed concern about being straitjacketed by any conditions.

The applicant has every intention of making the home a primary feature of the development, but we dont think its reasonable to provide an absolute requirement that they must maintain the residence in perpetuity if they cant find a financially viable means of maintaining it, said the applicants attorney, Thomas Coyne.

He proposed a condition that, if the applicant cannot find an economically viable use to preserve the Bolton house, the owner would agree to provide notice to the city and a 60-day discussion period to allow the city to work with the owner to find a means to preserve the home.

Commission member Joseph Sidoti and others were agreeable to the proposition.

At least that gives the city, the commission, the administration the chance to re-engage with you on some discussions on how to resolve that, Sidoti said.

The project was approved with 17 conditions, including:

The buildings proposed along the Norton Parkway corridor (east of Route 615) within Subarea B shall be ground-floor retail with the allowance for small office. Residential shall only be permitted above retail/office space within this area.

The residential unit count approved for Subarea A is up to 300 units and up to 350 units in Subarea B.

The Bolton family home should be preserved and re-used as a bed and breakfast, a boutique hotel or any of the allowed uses: housing/residential care facilities (single-family, mid-rise multifamily, assisted living, nursing homes) ; retail/services (barber shops/hair and nail salons, dry cleaners, restaurants, financial institutions, hotel); offices, and research and development facilities.

Public access shall be provided to the entire proposed conservation area (69 acres) and a conservation easement put in place over the 34 acres of the conservation zone within Kirtland Hills to guarantee it will not get developed.

Any proposed architectural design of residential and commercial buildings, and site design, shall meet or exceed the Design Criteria set forth in the Planned Development Overlay District regulations during final plan submittal.

A traffic impact study is required as part of the final plan submittal.

A tree preservation plan for trees outside the conservation area.

Any issues that may arise concerning the shortage of the required parking, due to the parking-sharing concept, shall be resolved with the introduction of structured parking.

Commission Chairman William Snow voted no.

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Bolton rezoning proposal clears first hurdle, preservation deal reached with Western Reserve Land Conservancy - News-Herald.com