WELLINGTON NORTH – As developers of a proposed subdivision in Arthur work to solve issues raised at a public meeting in February, another developer is asking council to get involved in a cost-sharing agreement that at least one councillor wonders that it could potentially leave the municipality legally hanging with nothing to show for it.
During Monday’s council meeting, council received a planning report as well as two deputations concerning the proposed VED Homes development, which would have 35 units built south of Domville Street and west of Conestoga Street in a vacant area behind a row of houses.
Scott Patterson, an executive from Patterson Planning Consultants Inc., provided an updated subdivision draft plan, which features 15 street townhouses, 20 cluster townhouses and an extension of Adelaide Street, as well as a zoning bylaw amendment of the Adelaide Street extension.
Based on the feedback received from the public meeting, one unit was removed from a block of the plan, as well as increasing the front yard from 3.7 metres to five metres and decreasing the rear yard from 7.5 metres to six metres.
Mayor Andy Lennox shared his support for the project and its edits during the meeting.
“I was pleased to see the alternation of the one block to reduce the density a little bit and create more space around the front yards,” said Lennox. “I think that’s a very positive step forward and I look forward to seeing this proceed.”
Concerns were raised by neighbouring property owners during the previous public meeting about existing poor drainage and concerns related to post-development flows impacting properties.
“I want to make sure the residents and neighbours to the new VED subdivision cautions and concerns are going to be answered,” said Coun. Steve McCabe, during Monday's meeting. “(The residents are) not opposed to the plan, (and I just want to verify) that what they’re concerned about is going to be looked after.”
VED Homes said their current plans show a 0.5 per cent flow as the land drains to the west, towards fence posts and trees. According to the report, they can adjust planned walls to allow storm outlets behind the property, with plans being analyzed further by the township engineer.
“I did have the opportunity to speak to one of the residents (that previously delegated) and answered all the questions that she had,” said Matt Daoust, senior planner. “Based on that phone conversation, the discussion seemed very constructive and (the neighbour was) ultimately supportive at the end of the day.”
Patterson has also been in touch with neighbours of the proposed development.
“I’ve been in contact with one of the neighbours as well about the drainage issues and things of that nature in their backyard,” said Patterson. “So we are in contact and as we move through the possess we hope to deal with all the concerns from other neighbours as well.”
During his deputation, Marcus Gagliardi from Cachet Homes, proposed a cost-sharing agreement between Cachet Homes and VED Homes for infrastructure already installed.
“We’ve been working amicably with VED Homes…we support their application and have nothing against it from a planning perspective,” said Gagliardi. “it’s just important to us that…(the cost-sharing agreement is) on the record so that we’re holding each other accountable.”
While atypically brought up in council, Cachet is asking the township to consider a zoning provision or draft plan condition that would ensure VED Homes enters into the cost-sharing agreement.
“All of the things that you would expect to cost share were already taken care of but they were taken care of knowing full well that future development was coming onboard,” said Gagliardi. “Having the draft plan is one of the easiest ways to get both parties to sit at the table and enter into that agreement.”
However, Lennox didn’t think it necessary to involve the township in a deal between two private landowners.
“I struggle to understand why the township is being inserted into a deal between two private landowners,” said Lennox. “I understand the Cachet perspective on this but I’m hesitant to ask the township to step in between two private property owners negotiations.”
McCabe had his own questions about legal fees.
“Say things went south between VED and Cachet, where does that leave the township?” said McCabe. “Who would be on the hook for our lawyers if we had to get involved with it?”
According to Lennox, the township would pay consultants unless a settlement says otherwise.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
