Duane Hicks
Both to meet a demand for housing lots and to be prepared for a future housing boom tied to district mining activity, the town will be focusing on the old Huffman School property as the next area it will want to ready for residential development.
Members of council agreed that administration look into the costs of potentially developing the property, priorizing it over property at Erin Crescent for now.
“I think the Huffman one is the one to really home in on first,” said Coun. Paul Ryan.
“It’s a few lots less [than Erin Crescent], the ground’s a whole lot better to work in, [and] the foundation would be quite a bit better than the problems we’ve had around Erin Crescent,” he added.
Coun. Ken Perry said he’s already spoken to a developer who is seriously interested in the Huffman site.
One of the details of the Huffman site council will have to decide upon is whether or not to keep the school building as it is for a future purpose, and sell lots around it, or get rid of it to make room for more lots.
Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig said the possible need for the school facility, and whether it is worth retaining, is being reviewed by the Economic Development Advisory Committee.
But what could happen with the Huffman property will depend on an appeal filed with the Ontario Municipal Board earlier this month regarding the so-called “Nelson Street Park,” which council voted to re-zone for residential use last month.
Members of council noted any more property development is dependent on “seed money” from the sale of said lots, which also may give the town an indication of the overall demand for housing lots here.
But any possible sales ultimately will hinge on the outcome of the re-zoning appeal.
A hearing for this appeal has not been set yet, but it’s estimated any decision by an adjudicator—in favour of the appeal or not—will not be known until at least late spring.
“I think we should walk before we run,” said Mayor Avis.
“Whatever happens with Nelson Street, we’ll get an idea.”
Several councillors said they are aware of developers who are eager to buy some or all of the five lots at the “Nelson Street Park.”
McCaig said the town has to be proactive when it comes to drawing more people to build homes here, especially with a potential mining boom on the horizon.
He added the town has been losing assessment to outlying rural areas because those wanting to build new homes here couldn’t find a suitable lot.
“People aren’t necessarily looking for the in-filling experience,” McCaig said. “They want lots in a new subdivision or certain areas.
“We keeping losing them—it’s a few every year—and we have to be able to capture some of that,” he stressed.
