The Town of Minto has approved a zoning amendment to facilitate development on the former Harriston Senior School property.
The amendment, approved by council at the June 5 meeting, re-zones portions of the property from the current institutional zoning to residential (R2), residential exception (R2-46) and open space (OS).
The amending bylaw passed by council notes that cluster townhouse use will be allowed in the portion zoned R2-46.
A report presented by Wellington County planner Linda Redmond at the meeting notes 10 lots comprising an extension of Lawrence Street will be subject to the county’s plan of subdivision approval process, while proposed lots on George Street may be created through the severance process.
A layout provided in the planning report shows a total of 21 R2 lots in the development. These lots could be used for either detached or semi-detached dwellings.
The layout also shows four bungalow-style apartment buildings, designed to contain a combined total of 19 housing units, located on a portion of the property currently occupied by the school building, which the developer plans to demolish.
The open space zone contains both parkland and a storm water management pond.
“It should be noted the proposed park area exceeds the Planning Act minimum requirements of five per cent,” Redmond noted in her report. “It’s a nice, big piece of land,” she added.
The report also points out the concept layout has not been reviewed for siting compliance.
“A more detailed review will occur once a formal site plan application has been submitted; as a result, there may be minor modifications to the plan as shown,” Redmond explained.
Councillor Ron Faulkner asked about plans for an existing paved walkway currently used by local school children to pass through the senior school property to Minto Clifford Public School. The developers, Jeff and Jeremy Metzger, have stated they intend to retain the walkway
However, Faulkner said, “I don’t see that in this layout.”
CAO Bill White explained that in recent discussions the developers indicated plans are to move the walkway to the unopened portion of William Street and have children enter the school from the north side of property.
“That differs from earlier plans where it was through the middle of the site and there’s two issues that they’re dealing with there.
“One is, it definitely has to go there during construction, because obviously you don’t want children there during that period,” said White, adding that the developers are also concerned with overall circulation through the site and “balancing privacy with access for the children.”
Deputy mayor Terry Fisk asked who would be paying for the re-located walkway.
White said council did not need to determine either the exact location of the walkway or financial arrangements for it at the June 5 meeting.
“We will have opportunities to negotiate with the developer,” he said.
“The walkway is one thing that all along they’ve agreed they are going to pay for.”
Minto purchased the 6.5-acre property from the Upper Grand District School board for $60,000 in June of 2012.
In March, council reached a deal to sell the property to the Metzgers for $105,000, subject to a number of conditions relating to preparing the property for development, confirming service requirements, and addressing zoning issues.
