MOUNT FOREST – Residents and councillors can't agree on a proposed stacked townhouse development that would bring almost 100 units to a local neighbourhood.
The Township of Wellington North hosted a public meeting Monday afternoon to discuss an application to permit Wilson Developments to construct an 88-unit stacked townhouse development on a vacant 4.84-acre lot at 461 Wellington Street East in Mount Forest.
According to the developer's senior development planner, the development is intended to provide a "broader range of housing to accommodate different economic levels and stages of life" with units anticipated to sell for a "high $200,000" and a $15,000 discount to be offered for healthcare workers.
While staff shared they had no problems with the proposed development, three delegates who spoke during the meeting disagreed: sharing their concerns about the proposed development and its impact on the surrounding neighbourhood's character, traffic and existing property values.
"The addition of 88 stacked townhome units will significantly add to the volume and increase the dangers of our community that's developing and ranging from retirees to families with young children," said Marta Hoyles, during the meeting.
Agreeing with the delegates, Coun. Penny Renken shared she has "great concerns" about the proposed development and how it will impact the neighbourhood's character and traffic, especially considering there is only one entrance and exit proposed off of Wellington Street E.
"It just doesn't seem really a viable proposition to me," said Renken. "I know we need more housing and we need to grow (but) we are a rural community, and I think we need the ambience of being a rural community. That's what people who have already come to our community are here for, and I think they deserve to have some consideration as well."
Siding with Renken, Coun. Sherry Burke suggested a third-party review of the traffic study as the township has received several comments in the past about safety concerns on Wellington Street E.
Burke later suggested the developer return to the drawing board to create a proposal that "suits the parcel of land."
"I think that we need the housing, and I like that the developer builds different types of housing, but I don't like that we're constantly squishing people in because of all of the pressures from different levels of government," said Burke. "We are the stewards of Wellington North, we need to shape our communities."
Supported by Coun. Steve McCabe, Coun. Lisa Hern contrasted Renken's stance- arguing the community can't move forward and address their existing problems by doing what they've always done before.
Citing the area's aging population and concerns about residential sprawl, Hern said options like the proposed development are ideal for those looking to retire or live in the community they grew up in.
"My son's a registered nurse and he tried to buy here and could not and that makes absolutely zero sense why he was able to afford to live in Kitchener and not here," said Hern. "And maybe if (nurses like him) were able to live here, the ER wouldn't have had to close this weekend."
Staff previously said the intersection will continue to operate "at acceptable levels" despite the proposed development and projected traffic and a second access to Birmingham Street East is not required.
Staff also clarified the ratio of units to acres will keep the development affordable.
A decision on the application will be made at a future meeting.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
