It could be a bit more challenging to get into Tim Hortons in Harriston this fall.
Minto’s committee of the whole on May 3 reviewed the impact of the Schickedanz subdivision at the northern edge of Harriston in relation to proposed Highway 9 upgrades.
Minto has $400,000 set aside in its budget of which $234,000 in Connecting Link funding to reconstruct that portion of the highway from the north limit of the community to the proposed entrance road into the yet to be started subdivision.
A report to council from Chief Administrative Officer Bill White said Connecting Link funds cannot be held back indefinitely and need to be allocated to the project in a timely manner to avoid potential clawback by the province.
White said additional funds may be required to complete turning lanes and storm sewer installation. While a plan of subdivision has been on the books for over two decades, the Schickedanz company became involved only within the past four years. The subdivision has draft plan and zoning approval nearing final completion.
At that time, Minto will collect a $10,000 deposit to partly cover the town’s consulting costs to process the development.
The intent is that the subdivision contributes to the servicing and infrastructure improvements needed to allow the town to proceed with highway reconstruction and ensure that the subdivision can proceed in a cost effective manner.
The project will require a reconfiguring of the Tim Hortons and Cedar Rail highway entrances.
Council is prepared to have the highway reconstruction begin this year and so it will not be responsible for any further upfront servicing costs for the development.
BM Ross engineers suggested that while turning lanes are needed, traffic lights are not warranted.
Mayor George Bridge, White, and representatives of Schickedanz are scheduled to meet on May 18 to reach an agreement on the subdivision’s financial contribution to the project. The goal is to tender the highway reconstruction for a fall start, with completion before winter, with all parties paying a share in the project.
Final costs won’t be known until the design is complete, agreements are in place, and work tendered.
