A 16-unit subdivision is planned for Bishop Street in Lakefield and residents had the opportunity to voice their comments and concerns during Tuesday afternoon’s council meeting.
A public meeting was held on Tuesday to discuss the proposed subdivision that consists of two four-unit townhouses and four semi-detached dwellings for a total of 16 residential units located at 45 Bishop Street.
There were no comments of concern from ministries or agencies such as Nexicom, Bell, Enbridge, Hydro One or the public school board.
However some residents did voice their concern for the proposed subdivision.
The concerns that were submitted to the township and staff’s response to those concerns consisted of:
• Storm water management: Staff said that the plans have been peer reviewed and are satisfactory. Should the plan move forward with a recommendation, a detailed design of that system will come forward through subdivision draft plan conditions and a subdivision agreement.
• Change in plans for number of units from eight to 16 and a change from low density to medium density: Staff responded saying that since this plan has come forward in 2021, it has consistently been a 16 unit subdivision plan.
• Damage to the roadway and lack of sidewalk: This is still under review and will get more details later in the process but the township does have a sidewalk policy they would adhere to.
• Road repaving: The developer would be responsible for returning the road to the condition in which the township expects them to be in after development is complete.
• Increased traffic flow: traffic studies have been completed and peer reviewed to the satisfaction of the township.
• The current Official Plan states that, once built, it must be compatible with the existing built form, some residents believe a subdivision is not compatible with what is already there.
• There would possibly be a 33 foot wall from one of these units just nine feet away from current property line: This could very well be possible as a side yard from the cull-du-sac abutting the back of an established property.
• Lack of parking spaces: each unit is required to have two parking spaces which is proved through one driveway parking spot and one garage parking spot
• Flush-only fire hydrant: there will be a low flow hydrant, which the fire department is aware of. The Fire Department reviewed this and they’re in consultation as well, and they were agreeable to not having a hydrant located on the site.
• Water pressure: It is a low-pressure area because it is on a hill which is to be expected.
• Water run-off impacting current residences and creeks: Storm water management does go down Bishop Street, but they’re looking at a dedicated sewer that would run down Bishop Street because the ditches can’t handle the additional flow. So it would be directed through a storm water management system to Concession Street.
Coun. John Boyko asked how do you define “compatible with the built form” to determine if this type of build conforms to the area?
Staff responded by saying that some municipalities had Urban Design Guidelines that would deal with the look and feel of new builds, however Peterborough County has never used such a thing before. The provincial standard at this point is also build housing where you can and it would be questionable if those guidelines would be able to be implemented with the current planning act.
A decision on whether Selwyn council supports this application or not will be brought forward at a future council meeting, however, the County of Peterborough will have final approval power over this matter.
The full report and details for the subdivision can be found on the township website at selwyntownship.ca.
