The Town of Minto has sold the former ball field here to a developer who plans to build 14 townhouses on the property.
At the Sept. 2 meeting, Minto council passed a bylaw authorizing a conditional sale agreement with Brad Schwindt, president of W. Schwindt and Sons, that would see the Mount Forest-based company purchase the property from the town for $180,000 plus $60,000 for lateral services.
The purchase is phased for up to two years and is subject to the parties completing final due diligence.
Schwindt plans to build seven townhouses facing Brown Street and seven more facing William Street.
The town will retain ownership of a park and stormwater retention area to be built between the two residential blocks, and will share in the cost of lateral services, road restoration, sidewalk and tree removal.
W. Schwindt & Sons has agreed to replant two trees for each one that may be removed.
The parties have agreed to jointly market the project.
Deputy mayor Terry Fisk asked what the joint marketing agreement entails. CAO Bill White explained it involves promoting the development through town-produced publications and on its website, as they do with other local developments at “minimal cost.”
“This brings needed affordable seniors housing to Clifford and area and completes a community development plan that saw the old field relocated and new development directed to where the town has sewer and water capacity,” stated Minto Mayor George Bridge.
Schwindt stated, “the townhomes will have 1,250 square feet on the main floor, a covered rear deck off the kitchen, concrete patio, finished rec room, garage and quality finishes for a competitive price.”
The town created a new ballfield at the John Hobleman Memorial Park in 2012 after buying land from the Clifford Rotary Club.
Relocating the field was funded in part by a Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund grant administered through FedDev Ontario, land sales and community donations with the Rotary Club donating the proceeds from the land sale back to the new facility.
Conversion of the ball field to residential property was instigated during the term of the previous Minto council, when Lorne Underwood proposed residential development on the Rotary lands.
However, public opposition and concern over servicing and stormwater issues stalled the project.
The town gave Underwood right of first refusal on the former ball field and focussed on use of the Rotary lands for recreational purposes.
White noted at the Sept. 2 meeting that Underwood and the town were unable to agree on a price for the ball field lands and the developer, “has moved on to other projects.”
The agreement with Schwindt and Sons stipulates the town and the developer will share the cost of lateral services related to development of the ball field property, which is estimated to cost approximately $120,000.
The land sale to Schwindt & Sons is expected to conclude in October.
“I hope to turn soil first thing in the spring,” said Schwindt.
