Red Bricks Redevelopment
The Town has received a Site Plan Application for the redevelopment of 145, 147, and 149 Kings Crescent. Below is information for tenants and community members, including details regarding the proposed development and available housing supports.
FAQ :
Q: What has been submitted to the Town regarding 145, 147, and 149 Kings Crescent?
A: A Site Plan Application (SP6/25) has been submitted to the Town for the redevelopment of 145, 147, and 149 Kings Crescent. The proposed development includes a 25-storey mixed-use building for this site. Through the Site Plan review process with the Town, the overall unit count continues to evolve, currently at 287 new rental, residential units. The unit count is a result of a change to the unit mix. The development proposes a higher than typical proportion of multi-bedroom units, which is now planned to include 31% 1-bedroom units, 58% 2-bedroom units and 11% 3-bedroom units, according to the owner. A formal revised submission for the Site Plan Application reflecting this updated unit count has not yet been submitted to the Town. The owners are continuing to target 10% of the final units in the proposed building to be affordable for a 10-year period, in accordance with the CMHC “MLI Select” Program.
The proposal also includes approximately 200m² of ground-floor retail.
In addition to the Site Plan Application, a Minor Variance Application (A10/26) has been submitted to allow for minor, technical variances to the Town’s Zoning By-law to facilitate the proposed redevelopment.
These planning applications are undergoing review by the Town and require necessary approvals to be secured for the redevelopment to proceed.
For further details on the proposed development and development review and approval process in general, please click the following link to the Planning Application Dashboard. Going forward, please note that the latest submission materials for the proposed development can be accessed from the Dashboard.
Q: What is the history of the property?
A: While the property sign bears the name Sherwood Gardens Apartments, the buildings are known locally as the Red Bricks. Developed by Dell Construction in 1953, the Red Bricks development was one of the earliest purpose-built rental development projects in the Town of Ajax. The three buildings on the north side of Kings Cresent (i.e. on the subject property) contain 34 residential units. They do not offer modern comforts such as air conditioning or accessible units.
Kingscourt Holdings (Ajax) Ltd. / Brosko Property Management Limited have owned the property since the late 1960s.
The subject property/Red Bricks development is not designated under the Ontario Heritage Act (OHA). The applicant’s submitted Heritage Impact Statement concludes that the property does not satisfy the minimum criteria under Ontario Regulation (O.Reg) 9/06 to be designated under the OHA.
Q: How do the Site Plan Application and Minor Variance Application processes work?
A: Site Plan Application Process
The Site Plan Application process is similar to the Building Permit process. It involves a detailed review of the proposed building and site design to ensure they meet the Ontario Building Code, engineering standards, zoning requirements, and other relevant regulations.
Under current legislation, there is no requirement for public consultation or Council approval. The proposed development conforms with the Official Plan and is generally in compliance with the Zoning By-law.
Town staff have delegated Site Plan Approval authority. Bill 109 required municipalities to delegate Site Plan Approval authority; however, the Town’s use of this tool long pre-dates Bill 109.
Minor Variance Application Process
A Minor Variance Application is a request to vary requirements/provisions of the Zoning By-law. The Town of Ajax Committee of Adjustment is responsible for considering Minor Variance Applications. In accordance with the Planning Act, there is criteria that must be met when considering a Minor Variance Application. The criteria requires that a variance:
- be minor in nature;
- be desirable for the appropriate development and/use of the subject lands;
- maintain the general intent of the Zoning By-law; and,
- maintain the general intent of the Official Plan.
A Minor Variance Application is reviewed by staff and considered by the Committee of Adjustment at a public meeting. Property owners within 60 metres of the property will receive a notice of when the Committee of Adjustment hearing is scheduled, and a notice sign will also be installed on the property. The Committee makes a decision on an application based on the presentation by the applicant, comments received from the public, and the staff recommendation report to the Committee. The Committee makes a decision to approve, refuse, or defer an application. The Committee’s decision may involve modifying the recommendations of the staff report.
Once a decision is made, a notice of the decision is sent to the applicant, agencies, and interested parties with a 20-day appeal period.
The Committee of Adjustment only reviews the requested variances to the Zoning By-law and they are not responsible for reviewing or approving the development as a whole.
Q: What is permissible for development on the lands based on the current Official Plan (OP) and Zoning in Ajax?
A: The lands allow for residential mixed-use buildings up to 25-storeys in height, provided certain urban design and building design policies are met for high-rise buildings. These policies include high-rise buildings consisting of a podium/base and a tower, a maximum podium/base height of 8-storeys, a 25m tower separation, and a maximum tower floor plate of 800m².
The minimum density is a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 1.75, with no maximum density limit. The proposed development has a density (FSI) of 6.59 and conforms with the urban design and building design policies.
In addition, the Town’s Official Plan contemplates the redevelopment of the Sherwood Gardens Apartments (Red Brick Apartments) when the existing 1950s low-rise buildings reach the end of their economic life.
Q: How long will the Town’s review processes take?
A: Site Plan Application Process
Review of the Site Plan Application and the finalization of the Site Plan Agreement will take several months. The owners have indicated that they will allow tenants to remain in their units during this planning period.
Minor Variance Application Process
The review and public meeting process generally takes about 60 days. The Minor Variance Application will be reviewed concurrently with the Site Plan Application and will be heard by the Committee of Adjustment on August 26th, 2026. Any approval by the Committee of Adjustment will not preclude the Town’s review of the Site Plan Application.
This Committee of Adjustment meeting is being held in-person in the River Plate Room, located at Ajax Town Hall, 65 Harwood Avenue South, Ajax, Ontario, L1S 2H9. For further details, please refer to the Notice of Public Meeting on the Planning Application Dashboard.
Q: Can the public or council appeal this project?
A: For the Site Plan Application, no, legislation delegates the process to staff; municipal Council cannot approve or deny Site Plan Applications, and there is no public appeal process.
For the Minor Variance Application, the decision of the Committee of Adjustment may only be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) by the applicant, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, or a specified person or public body, as per the Planning Act, by filing a Notice of Appeal. In accordance with the Planning Act, no third-party appeals (i.e. appeals from members of the public) are permitted.
Q: What are the property owners' plans regarding tenant displacement?
A: The owners have indicated that the earliest that notices to vacate the existing units may be issued is early 2027.
The property owners have committed to offering units within one of the other Sherwood Gardens buildings. Prior to issuing a notice to vacate, if a unit becomes available in one of the other Sherwood Gardens buildings, existing tenants will have the option to move into the available unit. The available units will be offered based on seniority, meaning that those who have lived the longest in 145, 147, and 149 Kings Crescent will be given first choice.
Under applicable legislation, the owners are required to provide displaced tenants with 4 months' notice and provide either 3 months' rent OR provide another rental unit acceptable to the tenant.
The owners have indicated that they are willing to offer first right of refusal to existing tenants, if this will be permitted through the CMHC requirements. However, there will likely be upwards of two (or more) years between when residents are displaced and when the new units will be available for occupancy.
Q: Is the Town taking any steps to ensure affordable housing options are maintained?
A: The owners are targeting 10% of the units in the proposed building to be affordable for a 10-year period, in accordance with the CMHC “MLI Select” Program.
Q: How many “affordable” units are available in the Red Bricks?
A: Existing rents seem to be lower than those established by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH), see Table 1. The current units do not have an ‘affordable’ designation.
Table 1: A comparison between the existing rents being charged at 145,147, & 149 Kings Cres. and those established by MMAH’s Affordable Residential Units Bulletin
Unit type | 145,147,149 Kings Cres. | MMAH’s Affordable Residential Units Bulletin (June 2024 rate) |
One bedroom | ~ $1,020 / month | $1,456 / month |
Two bedroom | ~ $1,038 / month | $1,809 / month |
Q: Is redevelopment planned for the other Sherwood Gardens building (301-335 Harwood Avenue South)?
A: At present, there are no planning applications for the buildings at 301-335 Harwood Avenue South.
Q: How is the Town addressing the potential uncertainty for residents?
A: The Town is committed to ensuring transparency and fostering open communication to address any issues and provide clarity to residents. A webpage has been created to centralize resources for tenants in the effected buildings: Red Bricks Redevelopment
Local Councillors also organized meetings for tenants on May 1, 2025, and October 8, 2025. These meetings provided a platform for residents to voice their questions and receive detailed information about the proposed development, as well as to connect with housing supports from the Region of Durham and Community Development Council Durham (CDCD).
Q: What relocation supports are available for tenants?
A: A list of helpful resources for tenants can be found at the bottom of this page, or on the Region of Durham's Housing Supports page. One such helpful program is the Housing Stability Program (HSP) which helps eligible low-income households in Durham Region with financial assistance to obtain housing or prevent homelessness. Financial assistance includes financial support for a Last Month’s Rent Deposit and up to two months of Rental or Utility Arrears.
Tenants who require housing support are also encouraged to contact CDCD, by visiting cdcd.org, calling (905) 686-2661, or emailing Sayed Saeed, Team Lead, Case Management and Housing First, ssaeed@cdcd.org.
Q: How can tenants connect with the Property management team?
A: Tenants are invited to get in touch directly with members of the Brosko Property Management Team through the project email, info@sherwoodgardensajax.ca, and phone number, 647-601-3507.
Resources for Tenants:
