Maintaining a tree buffer and adding a chain link fence around a new proposed subdivision in Rockwood were top of mind at a recent public meeting.
On June 27 a special meeting of council was held so the public could hear about the proposed plans for the Bonarrow Meadows subdivision on the north side of Rockwood at 5155 Fourth Line.
The developer, Charleston Homes, is planning to build 214 new units on the former Bonner farm, with a mix of detached and street front townhouses.
For the subdivision to move forward, Wellington County must approve the subdivision agreement, which separates the roads and the lots.
It is up Guelph-Eramosa Township to approve the zoning bylaw amendment application, which determines the permitted uses for the lands and regulations on the site.
Charleston Homes has requested the holding provision be removed and a special provision be created to allow for smaller lots, street townhouses and rezoning of land to allow for storm water management pumping stations.
Township planning associate Kelsey Lang indicated a number of items that have been identified and are being discussed with the applicant.
Charleston Homes planning consultant Astrid Clos explained the lot sizes in the majority of the homes are slightly smaller than the township’s requirements. However, the lots that back onto the existing lots on Wellington Road 27 will be slightly larger than required.
“The lots 1 to 8 for example actually exceed the minimum lot area of the existing zoning,” Clos said. “So where 405 square metres is the minimum, lots 1 to 8 have a lot area between 492 square meters to 638 square meters and in addition lots 9 to 12 also exceed that lot area and their lot areas (are) between 684 square meters to 1,155 square meters.”
Resident Tara Robinson asked why the lots are smaller than required.
“It’s not a significant change, it’s enough to do a proper layout,” Mayor Chris White said.
Another resident Rebecca Ring lives on Wellington Road 27 and her property will be abutting proposed lots 2 and 3 of the Bonarrow Meadows subdivision.
Her concern is whether or not there will be a tree buffer along the abutting property lines.
“Typically … there may be a condition of draft plan approval that would require a compensation tree planting plan as part of conditional approval that would be satisfied part of registration,” Clos said.
“Staff could write in a specific section in that condition that speaks to what the treatment … behind lots 1 to 12 would be.”
Ring said it would be ideal if the tree buffer consisted of evergreens, “So that in the winter months there’s a buffer as well.”
Another concern raised at the meeting was trespassing on private farmland.
“We’ve had a lot of concerns about trespassing lately and I’m wondering if there’s anything that will help contain the subdivision to help with four wheeler, dirt bikes, we’ve had a lot going through our fields for ourselves and our neighbours and I’m wondering if there’s going to be a fence or any type of barrier?” said Debbie Brander, who’s property abuts most of the northwest side of the subdivision.
White said the township couldn’t build a fence to prevent trespassing but he did say the subdivision may actually discourage people from going on the Brander property.
Brander also said she’s concerned about her farm’s drainage.
“Obviously we don’t want this to impact our agricultural land. That’s our livelihood,” she said.
Council directed staff to review the comments and draft township comments on the subdivision application for council’s consideration at a future meeting.
