FERGUS – Some councillors are unsure a 49-unit residential development planned for 3.4 acres off of Highway 6 is the right choice for the north end of Fergus.
While council followed staff's recommendations to approve an application to rezone 961 St. David St. North and allow 12 single homes and 37 townhouse units on a private road and amenity space during Monday afternoon's council meeting in Centre Wellington, concerns remained about traffic, drainage and the property's general future.
The sole councillor who opposed the motion, Coun. Lisa MacDonald said she couldn't support the application because she's heard public concerns about water drainage and wasn't thrilled about supporting developing land for condos when staff said no builders had been secured yet.
Although Coun. Jennifer Adams supported the motion, she expressed doubts about the single entrance and exit proposed for St. David Street.
According to the township's manager of planning services Marienne Iglesias, most of the public's issues have been addressed through the recommendations in the technical studies and will be conditions required through the condo's draft approval.
Future detailed designs will address detailed grading and drainage, tree removals, landscaping and fencing.
The Ministry of Transportation reviewed the application as the property is under their jurisdiction and concluded the development doesn't warrant road improvements and that acceptable service levels would be maintained.
Coun. Bronwynne Wilton did not participate in the meeting because she had a pecuniary interest. Coun. Barb Evoy was absent from the meeting.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
