Geranium Homes now wants municipal water, wastewater, roads on its site near Belwood Lake

CENTRE WELLINGTON – A year ago, Geranium Homes announced it was putting a pause on its estate development planned and approved between Fergus and Belwood due to changes in housing market conditions.

While not quite ready to divulge its new plans publicly, the developer wishes to start a new environmental assessment (EA) addendum “to evaluate wastewater treatment options for the site and identify a preferred alternative based on a municipally serviced development concept,” states a June 29 report to Centre Wellington council.

The original plan was for 118 private homes on half-acre lots on the south side of Wellington Road 19, immediately south of the former Fergus Golf Club and west of 3rd Line.

The site was to operate under a condominium agreement with private roads and, notably, communal water and wastewater treatment systems on the north edge of the former golf course.

In a June email, Geranium senior project manager Theyonas Manoharan said the company has been working on a new plan for the subdivision and expects to amend its previous proposal very soon.

Along with that is the amended EA, which will “review alternative servicing strategies in support of the revised development plan,” he said.

Council seemed surprised to learn at its June 29 meeting that Geranium now wants to hook up to municipal servicing for the site.

“What has changed is the developer is looking at a rezoning application,” said managing director of infrastructure services Colin Baker.

“There was (to be) a plan of condominium; now there’s a (proposed) plan of subdivision with the municipality.”

That would include roads, water and wastewater treatment, he said, so an additional environmental assessment is required, he added.

“The draft EA addendum report and preferred servicing alternative will be presented to council for information in early 2027," Baker stated in his report.

"A public information centre will follow with council consideration of the EA addendum and preferred servicing alternative in the spring of 2027.”

Source Water Protection will also be involved as the wellhead protection area will change with the new scenario.

Baker said that generally, the township would prefer to own and operate the water and wastewater system as opposed to private systems, as the township can ensure surrounding wells and properties are safe.

“We want to walk down this path and see if what’s proposed is amenable to staff,” he explained to council.

The outcome of the EA will determine the number and size of possible units and potentially the layout of the property.

Manoharan stated in his email that construction of the sales centre will be commencing in the next few weeks.

It will be positioned on the north part of the golf course lands and will eventually become a new golf course clubhouse.