After being struck down by council in February, a proposal for a Talbot Street housing development in Picton has received conditional support from Prince Edward County council.
At Wednesday’s planning meeting, council was faced with a new and modified version of the Talbot on the Trail housing development.
At a council meeting in February, the 238-unit development, with a density of 51.1 units per hectare was voted down 8 to 6 largely due to the high density.
After revisiting the plans and consulting with county staff, the new plan was presented Wednesday.
The development plans are now for 182 units at a density of 43.3 units per hectare for the land with frontage on Talbot Street along the Millennium Trail in Picton.
Included in the development are a variety of residential units including traditional freehold townhouses, semi–detached dwellings and back–to–back townhouse dwellings.
The density is still above the maximum allowed under the secondary plan of 37 units per hectare. In exchange for higher density the developers will enter a community benefits agreement with the municipality at a value of $95,445.80.
Things that can be included under community benefits include affordable housing, public walkways, provisions for sustainable design, community facilities and conservation of cultural heritage.
The zoning by-law and official plan amendments come with conditions including subdivision and boundary certification and street names approved by the municipality. See the full list of conditions here.
When council asked the developer about the price points for the units they were told it was approximately $349,000 currently, but is subject to change with the housing market.
Councillor Bill Roberts said that with the average house price in the county being much higher, combined with the county’s need for housing stock, he supports the revised development.
“I support this staff recommendation. We have to remember that, affordable housing, we have said over and over and over again in every strategic plan the county can lay its hands on, that affordable housing is our number one priority. I’m all in favour of this staff report. I have a great deal of respect for the flexibility and perseverance of planning staff and the applicant.”
Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson echoed Councillor Roberts in supporting the proposal.
“The sad reality is that we need housing stock and inventory, and we need it desperately. And we need it at a more reasonable price point, obviously, than a million dollars.”
The matter was taken to a recorded vote and was passed without any votes against.
