Morriston Estates is moving ahead.
Aaron Hill of McKinnon and Associates was on hand to present council with a brief update on the Morriston Estates plan of subdivision.
Along with Hill was owner Dave Jassel and several consultants. Hill explained the proposal first came before Puslinch council in 2008.
At the time, it was for a seven-unit residential subdivision on a cul-de-sac.
In the intervening years, dealing with storm water management and the issue of an adjacent former landfill site, the proposal recognized problems and the subdivision plan now stands at six lots ranging from just over half an acre to .67 acres.
One lot, he said, is significantly larger at roughly 1.5 acres – in part due to grading restraints.
The lots are designed to deal with current technical standards for rural services – wells and septic systems, Hill said.
Proponents sought resolution so that the development could move forward to the statutory public meeting.
Councillor Wayne Stokley said the proposal had been around for some time. As a member of the township’s planning and advisory committee, Stokley saw the initial stages of the proposal.
“I’m still not clear the location of the landfill and how much this is a part of.”
Hill said the landfill is not on the property being developed, but there is a nearby small triangle of property.
Stokley said with the landfill site being so close to the property line, he assumed there has been testing to determine any movement of contamination.
Hill said Jassel completed a phase one and phase two environmental site assessment which included bore holes.
“We confirmed there was very minor penetration in one corner.” That material, in one corner of the property, was removed.
The phase two assessment has been filed with a record of site condition, Hill said. That work was in 2011.
“I’m glad to hear this is moving forward,” offered councillor Susan Fielding.
“I’ve been hearing about this for a long time, so I am glad to hear you are taking the next step.”
Fielding approved of the site location and that the proposal was following government policy regarding in-filling. She asked if there was any proposal for the size of the homes.
The response was it would depend on the zoning, however Hill suggested 4,000 square feet as a minimum – based on what would be allowed for engineered septic systems.
Fielding said the public is curious how the development will look when complete.
“It seems like these will be more like the existing homes in estate subdivisions,” she said.
Mayor Dennis Lever was also pleased to see the proposal progressing. He said he’s fielded a number of calls, including one from a resident concerned about the current state of the property.
Lever noted the proposal indicated the storm management pond would hold the water from a 100-year storm.
“But how long would it take for the infiltration (draining) to take place?” Lever asked.
The estimate given to council was it would take only a few days – not weeks.
Staff will work with the proponents to come up with a date for a public meeting.
