A draft plan and zoning amendment application for a subdivision project in Prince Edward County failed to pass through the county’s Planning and Development Committee Wednesday.
In a discussion that lasted over three and a half hours, including delegations from people involved with the project as well as concerns from the public, a 6-6 tie in votes led to the motion failing.
The proposed plan of subdivision, known as the Cold Creek subdivision, looked to subdivide the 35 hectares of land located in Bloomfield/Hallowell into residential lots and blocks that would be developed over five phases.
The development would include the extension of infrastructure required to provide service to it.
At full build-out, the development would have been comprised of approximately 904 residential units with a mixture of single detached homes, semi-detached homes, townhomes, and apartments.
Councillor Chris Braney voted against the plan.
He says the land that is being built on needs to be protected.
“I’ve been very consistent in the last two years. Number one, consistent with my comments about Waring’s Creek and the asset of its watershed. I feel it is a very important asset to the county and something that we really should be cognizant of and reflective of with anything we do surrounding that,” Braney told the committee.
“I’ve been very consistent with saying that I believe Millennium Trail should stay naturalized. It’s another asset that we have in the county that we need to keep it that way. That’s why it’s special. Certainly, residents in Hillier appreciate the naturalization of the trail. I do too, and something that I’ve been consistent with. Third point, I’m also very consistent with the protection of farmland within the county. Any chance we have to protect good agricultural land in the county. It’s very important to myself and also my residents in Hillier. I won’t be supporting this draft plan.”
On the other end, Mayor Steve Ferguson voted in favour of the draft plan.
He says he feels what the builder is proposing is reasonable and that they made a committment to affordable housing.
“I’m going to support this, because I think it’s not just important to the community now, it’s going to be important to the community in the future,” Mayor Ferguson told the committee.
“I just wish that affordable component could be built quicker. So I am, I am going to support this.”
Councillors Roy Pennell, Brad Nieman, Phil Prinzen, David Harrison, Corey Engelsdorfer, and Chris Braney voted against the motion.
Councillors Bill Roberts, Phil St-Jean, Sam Grosso, John Hirsch, Kate MacNaughton and Mayor Steve Ferguson voted in favour.
More on the draft plan can be found at Prince Edward County’s website.
