PUSLINCH – An eager developer looking to speed-up the process to build 22 estate homes in Puslinch is going to have to be patient.
An ask by Audrey Meadows Ltd. for Puslinch council to immediately support rezoning, endorse an official plan amendment and a request for the County of Wellington to expedite approval was not granted at a meeting Wednesday, even if council agrees with it in principle.
The Audrey Meadows development is for 22 homes on approximately 14.5 hectares (36 acres) of land off Victoria Road South near an existing development consisting of large estate homes.
The development requires rezoning from the township and an official plan amendment from the county.
Rob Stovel, on behalf of his client Audrey Meadows Ltd., presented a resolution he said was vetted by their team for Puslinch council to consider at a Wednesday morning meeting.
The resolution stated council supports the development in principle, it endorses the official plan amendment and requests the county to approve the amendment expeditiously, and rezone the property at that same meeting.
“It would result in more housing, more jobs and more tax revenue and fees for the municipality,” Stovel said.
He explained these approvals would get the development past the first stage as further studies and more detailed site or subdivision plans would be required down the line.
He noted there are holding provisions included in the rezoning that provide a check and balance to ensure necessary studies are undertaken and the development doesn’t get ahead of itself.
Stovel said they have been able to address technical comments and believe the proposal conforms with provincial policy.
“We believe the proposal is in the public interest and through the process we’ll be able to provide immediate improvements that would benefit the local community,” Stovel said.
Mayor James Seeley noted council has not received a report from staff on whether this proposal truly conforms with provincial legislation.
“I’m pretty confident that council couldn’t support, you know, a bylaw that was penned by a third party without a report stating whether it was in compliance or not,” Seeley said.
The mayor said he understood the urgency and acknowledged there is a housing crisis in Ontario.
“In principle, I think this is a great opportunity for Puslinch,” Seeley said. “It won’t be affordable housing or attainable housing or any of those fancy terms, but it will bring stock online.”
Seeley said he trusts township staff will work diligently to get them through the process and didn’t expect any major delays.
No councillor made any comment or expressed support for the resolution and the delegation was received only for information.
