A data centre planned for East Wellington Road is a step closer to its sod-turning ceremony now that it has passed its review with the city鈥檚 design advisory panel.
The project, reviewed at the panel鈥檚 April 10 meeting, is a proposed development for a two-storey data centre at 2086, 2090 East Wellington Rd. that will be developed in phases by building 10 blocks, with each block module having approximate 9,700 square feet of floor space. The entire buildout would have a total floor area of about 194,000 square feet on the 2.3-hectare lot.
The city approved re-zoning for the site, which is located next to the Cavallotti Lodge, to high-tech industrial for the data centre in 2022. Townsite Planning Inc. Is the development permit applicant on behalf of owner 2779022 Ontario Ltd.
According to city staff design comment documentation, the building will be centred on the site with parking and emergency vehicle access set around the perimeter of the building and Block 1, the first phase of construction, close to East Wellington Road.
An existing house will remain as an accessory dwelling unit until later phases of the project are developed and, as a condition of the rezoning, 20 per cent of the existing tree cover will be retained in the northernmost part of the site. The tree retention area also includes a small natural wetland.
The building design will have minimal glazing and modular form, except for Block 1, which will have additional glazing, wood-grain cladding, linear LED lighting and an entry canopy to emphasize it as the primary entrance. The proposed building falls under the 14-metre maximum height limit for the I3 zone, but Townsite Planning has asked the city consider allowing a variance of up to one metre as part of an approved development permit to allow for the building to be constructed up to 15 metres in height, if necessary, for mechanical equipment and facilities when a detailed design is finalized.
Parapet walls and screening to limit visibility and noise from rooftop equipment is also considered in the design.
The design advisory panel recommended adding more elements, such as projections for shadowing and alternating materials, to create more visual interest on the side of the building facing East Wellington Road and for the designers to look for ways to increase the wood-grain cladding to help complement the surrounding neighbourhood.
As for landscaping, nearly 250 evergreen deciduous trees are to be planted on the site. Two storm water retention ponds are proposed for the building鈥檚 west and east sides along with a wildflower meadow.
The property will be enclosed by a chain-link fence and barbed wire.
The application will come before city council at a later date.
