A subdivision on the east end of Fergus is moving ahead, as council recently removed the holding zone for Phase 1 of Sorbara’s Summerfields development.
The move followed council’s review of a report from managing director of planning and development Brett Salmon.
Salmon stated it is the township’s practice to use holding zone provisions to ensure construction of dwelling units in a new subdivision does not take place until such time as the Stage 1 and 2 services have been completed.
“We frequently use this approach in Centre Wellington for plans of subdivision,” Salmon said.
“Until the services are in the ground and the developer has shown they have complied with the subdivision agreement, we use the holding provision so they are not issued building permits until those conditions are met.”
He stated the subdivision agreement was drafted earlier this year, and now the developers are close to having everything needed to proceed within the next week or two.
Salmon said the company anticipates construction of homes to begin at some point in November.
Councillor Mary Lloyd said that as a neighbour to that area, she encouraged members of council and the community to take an investigative drive out that way to see what the developer is planning in regards to the housing area.
“I believe when we watch these projects unfold, it is really important for us to know what a new neighbourhood will look like,” said Lloyd.
She added now is the time to look – before all the houses are built.
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked if fibre optic cables were installed yet.
Managing director of infrastructure services Colin Baker stated that as of the Oct. 24 committee of the whole meeting, they had yet to be installed.
“For this stage, to get preliminary acceptance, their services are sewer and water, storm connections and the base coat of asphalt,” said Baker.
Other services such as hydro, communications and such, come afterwards, he added.
He did note there is a very small passive park provided within phase one.
That park will provide access to the Elora-Cataract Trailway located just north of the subdivision.
