A proposed subdivision in Wellington will need more work before council will consider it again.
At Wednesday’s reconvening of the planning committee meeting from May 19, council was faced with a decision on the proposed Wellington Bay Estates subdivision plan.
The proposed subdivision, which has been in the works since 2017, is in the village of Wellington.
The subject land is 14.2 hectares, or 35 acres, and has 100 metres of frontage on Wellington Main Street to the south, homes and vacant land to the east, the lands for the proposed Lakeside Estates subdivision to the west and vacant land designated for future development to the north.
The subdivision plan includes 204 units with a mix between detached, semi-detached and town homes with a grid road system and one linear park, as well as plans for a stormwater management pond.
At Wednesday’s meeting, there were eight community members who provided public comment, most of whom were in favour of the development. Many noted the lack of housing in the area and the desire for a more diverse neighbourhood, as well as the need for a higher population to form a stronger tax base to improve the infrastructure.
Following public comment, council discussed the subdivision ahead of a vote on whether or not to give the plan draft approval.
One item of heavy conversation was the lack of green space in the development.
Councillors Janice Maynard and Mike Harper commented on the lack of green space and asked staff if there was a way to figure out ways to include more in the plans.
Prince Edward County Manager of Planning Michael Michaud explained that there was an agreement made in the past regarding the land and green space in which cash in lieu was provided to allow the development to have less green space. This agreement led to the construction of Lehigh Arena.
“I have seen some calculations, I can’t remember exactly when they were forwarded to me, but my understanding is the land that was given up for the arena is equivalent to the parkland that is required as part of the plan of this subdivision. In fact there’s still an over-dedication, although very slight, but it’s still an over-dedication based on what was agreed to a number of years ago when the lands were switched. If we don’t see parkland now, that is the reason why. If they didn’t give up the land, or an agreement wasn’t made back in the day, then we wouldn’t have an arena.”
Other questions were raised about a space in the subdivision for a private community space, dimensions on the town homes and questions about the dimensions of the proposed stormwater management pond.
Councillor Harper proposed an amendment that would not give approval to the plan but would not strike it down and instead would refer it back to staff for further work.
The amendment to the motion included:
- Referring the plan back to council for rezoning of block 157 so a private community centre is not allowed
- Reimagining of the public spaces to provide proper park space and linkage to surrounding areas including Belleville Street and the Millennium Trail
- Providing detail on buffering and landscaping surrounding the stormwater management pond
- Conceptual drawings be outlined for the townhouse blocks
- Draft approval is conditional on townhouses being a portion of the initial buildout
Staff were asked how fast the turnaround would be on reworking the plans and getting the information together. They were told that sometime in July would be most likely.
The motion was voted on and passed.
To see the full staff report click here.
