ELORA – A new subdivision may be coming to Inverhaugh.
At a public meeting on July 17, Steven Wright of WrightHaven Homes announced plans for a subdivision he said “represents a vast improvement to the lands that are currently in a bit of derelict state.”
The Sideroad 4 property, Wright said, includes “a former gravel pit extraction area, an antiquated turkey operation whose useful life diminished and was consequently closed and is now being torn down and removed.”
The proposed subdivision would establish 40 estate lots, which are permitted in the hamlet zone, on a total area of 37.3 acres (about 15 hectares), explained WrightHaven’s planning consultant Astrid Clos.
There are two roads planned for the subdivision and in addition to the 40 lots, the subdivision is proposed to include two storm water management ponds, a creek, woodlands and wetlands, Clos said.
“This growth of my business is critical for sustaining the employment of local area trades people, suppliers, jobs that stay in this community and offer opportunity to the youth of Centre Wellington,” Wright said. “My company provides opportunities for both employment and important housing supply.
“I believe with the refurbishment and beautification of this site we will once again be developing and providing lots that will be highly sought after and provide an estate housing subdivision that will be light on infrastructure and yet strong in its return for an investment for Centre Wellington.”
Wright is asking for a zone change from extractive industrial, agricultural and environmental protection to residential, open space and environmental protection.
Public opinion
Three members of the public spoke at the public meeting.
Township planner Mariana Iglesias said because this is the first meeting about the subdivision, she is unable to give a firm date when responses to questions will be received.
“We’re going to look at the application itself and review it and then work with the development to address any concerns that are raised,” Iglesias said.
Katie Fallis, who has lived in the area for about a year, said she’s concerned the rezoning will have a significant impact on Inverhaugh.
“I’m concerned that the hamlet of Inverhaugh and the township as a whole are not being considered as these decisions are made,” she said.
Fallis requested the lands not be rezoned until its proven the community will be healthy and environmentally and financially sustainable.
Fallis said she’s concerned about traffic, available park lands, walkability of the hamlet and safety overall.
“I want to know the financial impact [of] changing this … area to residential land,” she said, citing questions about the increased costs of municipal services and projections for job growth.
She also asked about the amount of doctors, where people would go grocery shopping, and what impact cars would have on the overall hamlet, not just Sideroad 4.
Ken Musselman has lived in the area his entire life and is in support of the subdivision.
“Knowing this property, in my opinion it’s ideal for the subdivision,” he said. “As we’re seeing, some of the subdivisions that have been approved in Centre Wellington are built totally on agriculture land.
“As a farmer, I would far rather see it here than on a bunch of the land, good agriculture land, that has been turned into housing.”
However, he also has concerns.
Musselman said his property surrounds the proposed subdivision on both sides and his concern is the proximity of residential houses to his agricultural land.
“I’d still like to see some kind of a buffer zone along the edge of my property,” he said. “The gravel pit is also on our property and we have had complaints to do with farming activities when there’s no houses closer than 1,000 feet.
“So what’s it going to be when we have a page-wire fence between us and the neighbours.”
Clos said she’s aware of Musselman’s concerns.
“There will be a fence between the proposed lots and his farm,” she said.
“In the past there have been farming warning clauses or agricultural warning clauses so that the residents are aware they’re moving next to an active farm and they shouldn’t complain if farming happens next to them.”
Councillor Ian MacRae asked whether trees could work as a buffer.
The final member of the public to speak about the subdivision was Ross McKenzie. He is also in favour of repurposing the lands for a subdivision.
However he too has some questions. He said there are no plans for sidewalks.
“You cannot move safely by foot, you cannot move easily with confidence by bicycle,” he said.
Clos explained sidewalks are actually proposed for one side of each of the roads in the new subdivision.
Council feedback
Councillor Kirk McEwain said he would like to see extended berms between the aggregate operation and the new subdivision because the heavy equipment can be really loud.
McEwain also asked that the township consider a neighbourhood commercial plan that would allow for some retail and commercial activities in the hamlet.
Councillor Stephen Kitras was also in favour of some commercial development.
MacRae asked whether the cash in lieu of parkland that’s proposed could go towards trees.
Councillor Bob Foster asked whether there could be signage and turning lanes put at the Sideroad 4 and Wellington Road 21 intersection, which isn’t part of the subdivision – but the potential increase in traffic would be.
No decision was made but the public is invited to continue sending comments to the township.
