Towers with over 600 units proposed for Ajax

The public has been invited to weigh in on a development proposal that, if approved, could bring two 30-storey towers to Ajax.

A notice posted to the town’s website said a bylaw amendment has been requested to permit the construction of a mixed-use development on lands located at 60 Blowers Cres., a parcel of property off of Salem Road.

The parcel is currently vacant. 

A report from the town notes that the site is surrounded by commercial and municipal facilities (including a self-storage building) to the north, the Carruthers Creek Trail system and residential subdivisions to the east, a mixed-use tower community to the south and a large-scale power centre with multiple big-box stores to the northwest and northeast. 

Medical facilities are located west of the site. 

The proposed development consists of two buildings that could reach 30 storeys in height and include approximately 622 dwelling units and 2,500 square metres of commercial space at the ground level. If approved, the subject lands–which are currently zoned for employment and commercial use–will be given a community areas designation that will allow residential units to be built. 

Proposed by Bousfields Inc., the development has been recommended for council approval by town staff who say it will help alleviate the province’s ongoing housing shortage. 

In the report, staff say that constructing new housing is needed to meet the province’s criteria, adding that the Building Faster Fund, which incentivizes municipalities to meet housing goals, has already granted Ajax $4.1 million.

In 2023, the town achieved 90 per cent of its 1,247 homes built targets. In 2024, it set a target of 1,417 new homes and in 2025, it aimed for 1,700 builds. The report notes that those targets were not achieved, with the town reaching just 19 per cent of its target in 2024. 

As of that same year, the town had moved towards the construction of 1,687 new homes–10 per cent of its target of 17,000 new homes by 2031. 

“The proposed mixed-use development on the subject site will contribute over 622 new apartment dwellings to help achieve the town’s housing pledge,” the report reads. 

“With approval of the proposed mayoral directive, the development can advance directly to detailed design through a site plan application and the first phase of development can begin construction within two years.” 

The report said development is consistent with both the Durham Region and Town of Ajax official plans, and is appropriate for the location–a location that the report said has been difficult for the owner to lease out to commercial businesses.

“In response, the owner is pursuing a comprehensive mixed-use development that will maintain the approximately 101 retail and service commercial jobs previously approved on the subject site that will serve the daily needs of residents of over 622 new homes,” the report reads. 

“It is our opinion that the proposed development is appropriate from an intensification and land use optimization perspective, represents a desirable and compact built form that responds to the evolving infill context along Salem Road, and will provide for new housing stock and maintain non-residential uses to support future residents,” town staff wrote in the report.

A public meeting regarding the proposed development will be held on May 19 at 1 p.m. It will be held virtually and live-streamed. 

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