Centre Wellington council has informed Wellington County it has no problems with draft approval for a subdivision in Fergus.
Brett Salmon told the committee of the whole on May 9 that Sorbara/FBH Fergus 36.98 GP Inc. had applied for a subdivision at Gartshore and Garafraxa Street in 2007. The public meeting to hear comments on it was held the following year.
Salmon said the proposal was for all single family homes with the number ranging from 154 to 194 on the 37 acre property.
County staff reviewed the proposal and found it fell short in the number of jobs that could be created there, as well as the density required. The county asked Sorbara to replan its proposal to increase the density of the housing and also the mix of units.
The company has done that and is now planning for 196 to 223 units, with some semi-detached and one of row houses. Salmon added that all area agencies have seen the proposal and stated they have no concerns.
Salmon noted the township is supposed to be taking parks and recreation lands worth five per cent of the subdivision, but the township Parks and Recreation Department has plans for upgrades to the nearby Forfar ball diamond. Instead, he said the township could opt to obtain slightly more park land from the development when Sorbara develops other lands it owns east of the current proposal.
Salmon said the frontage on the lots would be 40 to 50 feet, and the homes would probably be “higher end.”
He added that Sorbara had hoped to have a lower density in the subdivision in order to match what is already in the area, but provincial regulations now call for higher density housing to curb urban sprawl.
Salmon noted that is a change for council.
“It hasn’t been common here,” he said, adding that Rockwood Ridge in that community is the type of development the province now demands.
Salmon noted that there is also “some consideration of a trail” running close by the subdivision, and that would be to the east of a water course.
Councillor Walt Visser noted, “The developer wanted to build larger units on larger lots – and realized it can’t be done.”
Salmon said this is the first Sorbara project in Centre Wellington, and the company has other holdings. He said the company has a policy of “preserving continuity and heritage where they build.”
He said the company had to work hard to increase the density of the subdivision, but it came up with “a good design.”
