More studies are needed before a planned subdivision near Picton can proceed.
During Tuesday’s Prince Edward County Council meeting, council reviewed a motion to approve a zoning application and subdivision agreement for a new subdivision to be built near Waring’s Creek. The site covers 35 hectares with frontage along Sandy Hook Road and Upper Lake Street.
The Cold Creek Subdivision has been before council before, with council first denying a zoning application, and then reversing course and directing staff to work with the developer to address concerns raised by both council and residents about the impact of the development on the area’s water quality.
The revised plans include widening setbacks between residential use and local wetlands to 50 metres, which caused several lots to be eliminated from the plan. The road layout also shifted to respond to complaints that an intersection would be too close to a resident’s driveway.
While staff had recommended the latest proposal be approved by council, councillors also received a series of public comments and deputations urging them not to approve the subdivision. Waring’s Creek Improvement Association claimed they had not been engaged, as promised previously, in a cumulative impact study process, and disputed the accuracy of the tests.
Councillor Brad Nieman put an amendment forward, that the approvals be made conditionally, pending the results of a cumulative impact study. Municipal staff were directed to engage with both the developer and the improvement association to complete the study and address any changes to the site plan required based on its findings.
Speaking about the amendment, Councillor Nieman said that the required studies could take up to two months.
“We also allow the developer to move a little bit,” said Councillor Nieman. “So everything’s moving at the same time, but he is not really given full approval until that study is done.”
The motion was passed as amended.
