FERGUS – The Township of Centre Wellington will embark on an environmental assessment of lands identified in the South Fergus Master Secondary Plan.
Brett Salmon, the township’s managing director of planning and development, presented a report to council on March 22.
He was also seeking permission to begin an environmental assessment of the water pumping station on Union Street, which will be used by residents in south-Fergus when the lands are developed.
Salmon said two growth areas were identified in Fergus in 2003 and with the Storybrook development coming to a close, the north-west Fergus secondary plan is almost complete.
“We need to move forward with this,” Salmon said of the south Fergus plan. “It is best practice and will lead to long-term growth.”
The study area is 152 hectares and is bounded by Guelph Street to the west, Jones Baseline to the east, Second Line to the south, and existing development to the north.
The study will look at land use (a mix of residential and commercial), parks, environmental protection and other planning matters.
It is proposed to accommodate 1,370 households and nearly 1,300 jobs.
There will be two public information centres – one this summer and a second in the fall.
There are five landowners and Salmon presented a draft agreement the landowners are prepared to sign.
This initial study will be paid for by the township through development charges.
“This is the most expedient way to get it done,” Salmon said.
