BELWOOD – Since Geranium Homes held a community information meeting in Belwood last June, the planning world has changed, and the proposal the company presented at a public meeting on April 26 had also changed from the original.
Geranium is still proposing a 118-estate home subdivision on Wellington Road 19 at 3rd Line, across the road from the Fergus Golf Club.
But the Ministry of Municipal Affairs has weighed in and has already approved aspects of the proposal.
Before that, however, a history lesson.
Back in 1977, the nine-hole Fairview Golf Course was constructed on this same parcel of land and in 1996 it applied to build 41 homes beside the course, which was approved. But the homes were never built.
In 2000 Lake Belwood Golf Course opened on the northwest parcel, and in 2010 the two courses merged to become the Fergus Golf Course.
And now the Fergus Golf Course wants to close the nine-hole course and build homes there instead.
The site would function like a condominium with common water and wastewater systems and common, private roads.
This requires a zoning change from the township and an official plan amendment from Wellington County.
Geranium Homes submitted applications with Centre Wellington and Wellington County in January last year and held its own information meeting at Belwood Hall in June to hear from local residents.
Meanwhile, the county was in the midst of updating its official plan, which it is doing in sections. It sent Official Plan Amendment 119 to the province for approval and the province allowed for public comment.
Geranium Homes commented and through the provincial review, the province allowed a few changes to Geranium’s original proposal.
The core greenlands area on the site has increased, as have the naturalized and wetland areas.
“They have natural heritage significance,” said Geranium executive vice president Cheryl Shindruk at the meeting.
The province also removed the minimum distance separation requirement, allowing for the 118 homes.
The water and wastewater treatment systems will be located on the golf course property north of Wellington Road 19 and a stormwater pond will go on the south parcel.
The hope is to connect the green space on the proposed site with the Elora/Cataract Trail and Belwood Lake.
The subdivision will be accessed from Wellington Road 19 with a new entrance for the golf course directly opposite this access point. Turn lanes, both left and right, on the county road will make this much safer and won’t impede traffic flow, officials say.
There will also be two access points on 3rd Line.
Resident Bob Cameron said he lives across the road from the proposed development on 3rd Line and had lots of concerns until he checked out Geranium Homes for himself.
“In my mind they are quality builders, quality people. Let’s approve this and get it going,” he said.
Sean Geddes lives beside Cameron on 3rd Line and did not share his optimism.
“What is the approval status? What did the ministry approve?” he asked.
Meagan Ferris, the county’s manager of planning and environment, said the province made the call on the green space and the minimum distance separation. The county’s role is now with the plan of subdivision.
Leanne Iravani, who lives on 3rd Line, is opposed to the proposal.
“I’m opposed to agricultural land being rezoned for housing,” she said. “I’m concerned about the environment. And there’s not enough infrastructure – roads, traffic signs, schools and hospitals.”
Shindruk said no agricultural land is being lost to this proposal.
“No lands are being rezoned from agriculture and there is no agriculture use on the property,” she said. She added the company is willing to work with residents to ensure they are happy.
She said Geranium is working on an agreement with a farmer that abuts the development and will install fencing and trees to make the property line clear.
The company will also solve a pre-existing drainage problem on 3rd Line for residents there and has had talks with the Belwood Lions Club about ways to do something for the community.
As for water concerns, water for this proposal will come from a deep aquifer and won’t affect the shallow wells most residents use, Shindruk said.
No decisions were made at the meeting. It will return to council at a later date.
