Wellington North council has supported a proposed subdivision plan that would bring 411 units into the south end of Mount Forest.
The draft plan was first submitted to council in 2013, and a public meeting was held in April of 2014.
It was brought back to council on Monday (July 23) in front of a full house.
“Since [2014], quite a bit of additional work has been undertaken on the application to address concerns that were raised,” said John Cox, planner representing developer Avila Investments.
The proposal for the 31.1-hectare (76.8-acre) lot on Highway 6 between South Water Street and Bentley Street would create 231 single detached residential lots, 60 semi-detached residential lots and seven townhouse blocks to accommodate 120 townhouse units.
There are also two highway commercial lots, open park space and two open blocks connecting to unopened roads.
“From council’s perspective and from the neighbours’ perspective, it is a large-scale development,” said Cox. “But in terms of the density … the 411 residential units that we have is basically the minimum amount we are allowed to have under provincial guidelines.”
Along with minor changes to the draft plan, there are further changes to conceptual servicing.
Water and wastewater in the subdivision would need to be connected to municipal services.
While a different plan was presented at the public meeting in 2014, John Kerr of GM BluePlan Engineering offered another option that would extend services down South Water Street.
“We’ve identified that extending services along South Water Street to the same location may be mutually beneficial to the municipality, the homeowner and to the developer,” Kerr said.
“There’s been no decision as to which is the best alternative, but I simply wanted to advise everyone that there is more than one alternative to connect this development to external sanitary and water services.”
Two residents spoke as deputations during the council meeting to ask questions.
South Water Street resident Scott Hartle said a berm protects his property after multiple flooding issues. He asked how the subdivision would impact water flow on his property.
He also asked about fencing, parkland and privacy.
“Not saying this is a bad thing; change is inevitable … we realize that this subdivision is a go ahead; a lot of time, work, effort has certainly been put into this,” said Hartle.
“But we want to make sure that there are insurances that we are going to be protected as neighbours, both on South Water and Bentley.”
Barb Schellenberger said she was happy to see more parkland included in the draft plan from when it was first presented in 2014. She asked council to consider community partnerships to utilize the parkland once it is available.
Another resident, Gil Reid, who was not registered as a deputation but was allowed to speak, said the privacy issues for the neighbours need to be addressed.
“All of these are large residential properties that have enjoyed rural living, so this is quite a culture shock to them,” he said.
Frank Vanderloo, engineer with BM Ross and acting for the township, answered questions posed by the deputations as well as others who attended the meeting.
He said at this point, the drawing is a conceptual design and the little details like drainage, sidewalks and fencing, will be filled in once detailed engineering drawings are submitted.
There will be a stormwater management pond located on the west corner of the property.
“Almost all the existing surface water runoff that’s generated within that farm field – that’s going to be captured and directed to stormwater management,” said Vanderloo.
The process will still take many months, he said, as there are lengthy processes for building required infrastructure such as water mains, pumping stations, left-hand turn lanes off Highway 6 and more.
In her report, county planner Linda Redman said the proposed draft plan is “appropriate and in the public interest.” She added a future zoning bylaw amendment would be required.
Council supported the proposed plan of subdivision and 31 conditions of approval and directed staff to prepare a subdivision agreement between the municipality and the owners.
