Duane Hicks
The town has chosen to proceed with developing the “Huffman” residential subdivision on Williams Avenue this year.
But in an effort to draw buyers, it has dropped the price for the lots and expanded the time frame in which a new house must be built.
The matter was discussed in-camera (behind closed doors) during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting, and afterwards Mayor Roy Avis confirmed the project will proceed despite not having any buyers yet for the 16 lots.
“We’re going to proceed with the demolition of the school and fill in that area, and then proceed with the first stage of the subdivision, putting in all the services in the subdivided area and also Williams Avenue,” he noted.
“There will be some adjustments made on the pricing on the lots, and also some of the caveats that we’ve put in place regarding the length in time to build,” the mayor added.
After consulting with potential purchasers, lot prices have been lowered, with a starting price of $39,900.
The starting price had been around $51,000.
As well, the requirement to build has been extended to five years from two as initially proposed.
There were no buyers for the lots as of Monday night, but Mayor Avis said the town has a shortage of building lots and council feels the subdivision is worth pursuing.
“We’re looking to the future. We have to increase our tax base in the community,” he reasoned.
“There’s a lot of houses being built just immediately outside the community and so is there any place for people to build in town?” Mayor Avis asked.
“Not really, not in a good subdivided area, so therefore council’s made the decision to move forward with that subdivision,” he stressed.
The town will be creating a 16-lot residential subdivision—with six fronting Williams Avenue and an additional 10 on a proposed cul-de-sac.
The development will occur over the next two years, with the school demolition and lot surveying to commence very soon.
Reconstruction of Williams Avenue between Third and Fifth Street East, and the installation of all underground utilities, will occur this year.
Next year, the road surface features will be completed within the cul-de-sac.
In a press release issued late yesterday, the town also stated that “contrary to some sentiments within our community,” the development “will not cost ‘millions of dollars.’”
“The reconstruction and infrastructure rehabilitation related to Williams Avenue is work that needs to be done whether a subdivision or not,” the release noted.
“Costs related to lot development are estimated to be $721,000.
“This project is being funded by corporate reserves, and is essentially an investment in our community that will be recouped through future lot sales and taxation,” it added.
For more information on lot purchases or pricing, contact municipal planner Faye Flatt at 274-5323.
