Ontario Construction News staff writer
New Tecumseth town council has rejected a developer’s request to rezone lands in a Tottenham subdivision to build a townhouse complex because of concerns about parking and schools.
The plan for property along Stych Street in the Deer Springs subdivision is to construct 130 units – 80 street-facing townhouses and 50 back-to-back units.
One of the reasons that Tottenham said no to the plan is the concern from the Simcoe County District School Board that children living in the new development may not be accommodated in local schools due to accommodation limitations.
“This is a significant enough issue . . . that it warrants not just legal wording in the agreement, but significant signage that most people couldn’t miss at the entrance to these future developments indicating that there is a potential problem here,” said Councillor Foster. “I think that would mitigate, hopefully, some concerns from people that were moving in with young kids.”
He is also concerned about the developer’s request to reduce the property setbacks, building homes to be built closer to the road, and reducing the length of driveways, and increasing on-street parking.
Planning staff recommended approving the rezoning and concluded the plan is an appropriate land use and complimentary to the surrounding lands uses.
“The proposed development is located within an established residential Plan of Subdivision and would contribute to providing a diversity of housing stock for the community,” said Derek Abbotts, manager of development planning.
