Plans to redevelop the former Barrie Central Collegiate property may take a major step forward tonight.

The city’s planning committee could approve a zoning bylaw amendment for HIP Development’s site at 34-50 Bradford St. and 125 Dunlop St. W. during a meeting March 3. If the decision is ratified by council at an upcoming meeting, the change would pave the way for the construction of 600 residential units on the property, along with a new 77,000-square-foot YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka building.

“Staff are recommending approval of the subject application, as the lands are considered appropriate for this form of mixed-use development,” development services director Michelle Banfield said in a report to the committee.

“The proposed development is … located within the settlement area of Barrie, it is not anticipated to have a negative impact on Lake Simcoe, (and it) will utilize existing and available infrastructure — water, sanitary and stormwater management systems — and public service facilities such as transit, library, recreation facilities and schools.”

The proposal has a “variety of residential forms,” including live/work units, provides a compact form of development that minimizes its climate-change footprint and is designed with a pedestrian-oriented focus that connects to a municipal sidewalk, she said.

Barrie would generate about $13.9 million in development-charge revenue from the site. It will also get nearly $1.1 million in annual property-tax revenue on the residential component; the Y building is not subject to city tax rates.

The properties were once home to a residential building, Barrie Central, Prince of Wales School and Red Storey Field.

HIP is proposing three residential buildings ranging between 10 and 20 storeys in height.

The developer will also partner with the YMCA on the Y facility, and there will be a publicly accessible parkette within the still-standing Prince of Wales facade.

A multi-storey parking structure is also proposed. In total, 822 parking spaces, including 142 on surface level, are proposed for the entire development, including the Y.