The municipality has approved a site plan for Quality Homes’ proposed 23-unit townhouse project on the former Harriston Senior School site.
Town council passed a by-law on May 8 authorizing the mayor and CAO/clerk to sign the site plan agreement.
A report from CAO Bill White presented at the meeting notes a conditional site plan was approved on Dec. 19.
Resident letter
The report also points out a December letter from neighbours Rolf and Kerri Schuttel that raised concerns about building elevation, on-site parking, side yards, common amenity space and garbage storage.
The Schuttels had challenged the development through the Ontario Municipal Board.
Minutes of settlement signed between the town and appellants include a provision limiting the development to one storey.
Project
“Quality’s updated site plan demonstrates compliance with the zoning bylaw and minutes of settlement as required by the December 19, 2017 conditional site plan approval,” the report states.
“The proposed site plan and building elevations demonstrate an attractive and functional project which given Quality Homes’ reputation will be an asset to the community.”
The report continues, “Including basements in the design raises certain site grades and will look different than the original slab on grade proposal of the previous developers.”
Affordable housing
Mayor George Bridge said, “We all know we’ve been trying to get some more affordable housing out there. I think it’s a great project.
“When we bought this land many years ago at $60,000 … look what we’ve got on it now, and it’s going to continue to grow.”
Property
Minto purchased the 6.5-acre property from the Upper Grand District School board in June of 2012.
Students
The last Grade 8 class graduated in 2009 and the school was closed and merged with an expanded Minto Clifford Public School, which sits on an adjacent property.
