Duane Hicks
A meeting to garner public input on the proposed Erin Crescent subdivision elicited a mainly positive response from those on hand last night.
About 15 local residents, many of whom live in the vicinity of the proposed development, attended the meeting at the Civic Centre.
While no one spoke out against the subdivision, they did offer a few points for town administration and council to weigh as they determine whether or not to proceed with the project.
One request is for the new subdivision to remain zoned R1 (this means new homes would be restricted to single family detached dwellings).
The town has intended to zone it R2 to allow for more options for development, such as townhomes, duplexes, and apartment-style housing in addition to single dwellings.
But several residents last night said they felt that zoning would change the complexion of the neighbourhood, which currently consists solely of single family homes.
A second request was to reserve some open space in the vicinity so neighbourhood children would continue to have a safe place to play.
A third request was to possibly allow residents with properties abutting the proposed subdivision lots to have the option to purchase lots, not to build a new home on but as an extension to their current property.
Having now received public input, Chief Building Official and municipal planner Tyson Dennis will prepare and submit report on the proposed subdivision to be discussed by the Planning and Development executive committee Aug. 8.
That committee then will make a recommendation to council in time for its Aug. 21 meeting.
If council agrees to go ahead with the subdivision, the project could be tendered as soon as late September, with lots ready for construction by next summer.
As previously reported, the town has been conducting an examination of potential sites for residential subdivision development as per its strategic plan.
Erin Crescent was identified as the preferred site, with realty sales, potential lot sizes, and number of lots all being factors in making that determination.
While true costs cannot be determined until the project is tendered, administration estimates the 27 lots in the proposed subdivision will start at $59,000 for 690 sq. metre lots and cost up to $127,000 for the 1,140 sq. metre ones.
The main reason for developing a subdivision is to increase the municipal tax base.
Residential taxes currently comprise 47.7 percent of the town’s tax base, and increasing the tax base means less potential tax hikes for residents.
It also makes it easier to maintain community services for everyone.
The town also wants to be seen as a first choice for new residents moving to the area–particularly because of the New Gold mine, which goes into production this November–as well as welcome back former residents who may want to return here to be with family.
