Minto council is eager to begin work on road improvements along Highway 9 at the north end of Harriston. They also want the developer of a major subdivision to commit to sharing the costs of the project, which will provide access and services to the subdivision.
Minto has $400,000 set aside in its budget, of which $234,000 is Connecting Link funding to reconstruct the highway from the north limit of the community to the proposed entrance into the subdivision.
CAO Bill White advised council at its Nov. 6 meeting that provincial funding may not be available, at least in full, indefinitely.
A plan of subdivision has been on the books since 1992 for the property, formerly farmland owned by Ron Leslie of Harriston. Leslie sold the land, located on the north side of Highway 9 behind Tim Hortons, to Vaughan-based developers B.G. Schickedanz Homes in 2008.
Minto council held a public meeting on Aug. 14 to consider an amendment to the town’s zoning bylaw to accommodate proposed revisions to the draft plan of subdivision for the development known as Camelot at Minto.
Proposed revisions to the existing draft plan will result in an increase in residential units from 178 to 286. A park area and several of the residential areas within the development will be relocated and a new stormwater management area is being proposed. Consideration is being given to reducing some lot area frontage and yard requirements.
The county is currently considering the draft plan revisions. Planner Mark Van Patter recently advised council in a written report that he foresees the county being able to grant approval to the revisions fairly soon, providing issues involving stormwater management, traffic flow and ownership and operation of a proposed community centre in the subdivision are resolved.
Several councillors expressed frustration with delays in moving the project forward and indicated the town needs to move ahead with highway improvements.
“How long is this council going to be willing to be held hostage to this developer?” asked deputy mayor Terry Fisk.
“I think next year we have to do this project and if he’s not on board then I’m guessing it’s going to cost him more money, when he does come on board, to do what has to be done to service his development.”
Councillor David Turton pointed out continual changes to the subdivision plan have contributed to delays.
“This has changed how many times? In the last 20 years it has probably changed 20 times,” Turton said.
Changes to the proposed level of residential density have led to hold ups in the past. White pointed out the planning department’s recommendation to put the back portion of the subdivision in holding designations until issues are sorted out should alleviate those concerns.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell noted concerns about density might be premature, as the development will be done in stages.
“This is not going to happen to this proportion in the near future, if ever,” said Colwell.
At the Aug. 14 public meeting, developer Bruno Schickedanz said the earliest possible start time for the project would be next spring, provided all necessary approvals are in place. He also said his company was viewing the subdivision as “a 10-year project.”
Part of the reason council wants to proceed with the road work is to alleviate existing traffic concerns in the area. A busy Tim Hortons restaurant is located in front of the proposed subdivision and a smaller residential development is already under construction on the opposite side of the highway.
“We have to deal with that problem in the Tim Hortons area. He needs to be made aware that this is a serious problem and we mean business,” said Fisk.
Turton suggested a traffic study may provide some solutions. “It’s chaos. Right now it’s chaos. Could it be a roundabout? Will there be lights there?” Turton asked.
White suggested council should proceed to tender with the project and, with costs determined, decide what portions of the project to proceed with immediately.
White presented council with a report listing 15 discussion points regarding the proposed zoning framework. Among those points is a notation that the town has provided a cost-sharing proposal for servicing of the development and that the developer is preparing a counter-proposal for the town to consider.
Council voted to receive White’s report, including a recommendation that council request a zoning by-law amendment and draft plan approval conditions be prepared, generally reflecting the 15 points outlined in the report.
At White’s suggestion, council agreed to add an “editorial comment” which “makes it clear you plan to go ahead.”
Schickendanz did not return phone calls from the Wellington Advertiser.
