Although Centre Wellington is still not commenting on two proposed developments on the South River Road, a new resolution passed by council on Oct. 26 will get the ball rolling on a review process.
The resolution begins the establishment of a process of review and community engagement for the growth strategy and for the development proposal.
Mayor Kelly Linton noted that since the committee of the whole (Oct. 19) there was correspondence from the developers involved in proposed subdivisions along the South River Road. Earlier council had directed its managing director of planning and development to inform the County of Wellington director of planning and development that the Township of Centre Wellington will not be submitting a recommendation regarding the conditional approval of draft plan of Subdivision Applications 23T-15001 and 23T-15003 until such time as the township has completed its Growth Management Strategy in accordance with the council-adopted strategic plan.
Earlier this year, the county received applications for the approval of two adjacent draft plans of subdivision, south of the Grand River in the Elora-Salem urban centre.
The first proposes between 372 and 475 dwelling units, including 286 to 389 single detached units and 86 multiple-residence units on a parcel of land with an area of 22.07 hectares.
The other proposes between 238 and 292 dwelling units, including 63 to 117 single detached dwellings and 175 multiple-residence units, on multiple parcels of land totaling 18.25 hectares.
The MHBC Planning, on behalf of developers of Haylock Farm Ltd. & Bruce and Margaret Youngblood, are asking the matter to be deferred to allow more time for discussion with the township and the county.
“We have taken that into consideration,” Mayor Kelly Linton said.
Councillor Kirk McElwain proposed an amendment to the committee of the whole recommendation based on the new information.
He also believed council should take into consideration engagement with the community and the builder.
McElwain asked that council direct the managing director of planning and development to:
– review the applicant’s resubmission and supporting materials and provide preliminary comments and requests for additional materials (if needed);
– establish a draft work plan including a community engagement plan and a timeframe for the township’s growth management strategy.
– provide a letter to the applicants with outlining the process and timeframe in which the township would review all aspects of the development including population density, infrastructure requirements and environmental issues.
Councillor Fred Morris asked for a clear and concise statement from either the CAO or director of planning on the reasons for the amendments to the original motion.
CAO Andy Goldie said that since the committee of the whole meeting, developers resubmitted the proposal.
In the meantime, council would still review the information presented and work with the developer.
Morris also wanted to understand the role of the community engagement process.
Goldie said in other communities the process has included council, the developers, community members and staff in looking at the long term plans for the community.
Linton stressed “this is not an opportunity to stall anything, it is to have the growth strategy is driven by what is important to the community.”
At the same time, Linton said it is important to move forward on the growth strategy in 2016 and to deal with this application.
