Councillors here are in favour of an official plan amendment that will allow a new subdivision and nine-hole golf course in Drayton, provided the developer meets the requirements of several commenting agencies.
Last week Mapleton council reviewed a report from county planner Mark Van Patter, which indicated the county was seeking Mapleton’s input on the proposal before county council considers the amendment at its June 30 meeting.
Developer Fred Prior, of Guelph-based Prior Construction Corporation, is seeking a rezoning of the land – described as Part Lots 17 and 18, Concession 10 of Maryborough – to permit the Glenaviland Estates development, which is about 50 acres in size and would ultimately contain 95 single family houses and 101 townhouses.
The portion of the land adjoining the Conestogo River would be developed as a nine-hole golf course. The project would be phased in over the next 15 to 20 years.
Last week Mayor Bruce Whale said council is generally in favour of the proposal, provided all the criteria are met.
Clerk Patty Sinnamon said the township is still waiting to hear from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, on archaeological findings on the golf course lands, and from the Ministry of Natural Resources, on two endangered birds – the bobolink chimney swift – although she has been informed those birds are not nesting in the area.
In his report, Van Patter also noted that, at the request of the Ministry of the Environment, a special policy was included in the draft amendment noting “there is insufficient sewage servicing capacity for the entire subdivision.”
And given the location of the proposal – near the Conestogo River – Van Patter said “the township will want to see supportive comments from the [Grand River Conservation Authority] prior to passing a resolution in support of the [amendment].”
Planning consultant Bruce Donaldson, who represents Prior, said he is waiting to hear back from the ministries on several issues.
“We’re working diligently to satisfy all these ministries,” Donaldson told council.
Whale then noted the township would be willing to work with a developer on more strict energy standards for new homes, similar to what the Minto Group Inc. is doing in the Ottawa area.
Donaldson said that is something that requires a lot of thought, yet he said Prior may be willing to look into it. Whale noted the township has no guidelines, but it is very interested in working towards the goal of more energy efficient homes.
Mapleton council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Glenaviland official plan amendment, provided the developer meets the requirements of the MNR and the GRCA.
In his report Van Patter said the developer should satisfy all issues prior to the June 9 meeting of the county’s planning committee, which will then make a recommendation to county council at its June 30 meeting.
