The city's planning committee approved a rezoning application Monday that would create 27 single-family homes and 37 townhouse units in New Sudbury, near Maley Drive.
But the approval for Dalron Construction comes with 32 conditions on building on the 24-acre property on Agincourt Avenue. The decision was a disappointment to some residents worried about endangered species in the area, not to mention the loss of walking trails area residents have used for years.
Senior planner Alex Singbush told the committee the land is zoned for future development, and Dalron is applying to change that to low residential and medium residential.
An endangered species study was conducted to determine whether the construction would affect Blanding’s Turtles and Eastern Whip-poor-wills in the area.
“No negative impacts are expected as a result of this development,” Singbush said.
Access to the development will be from Maley and Montrose Avenue.
Jaz Perry of Dalron said the development represented $740,000 in development charges and $360,000 in new property tax revenue for the city.
“That's something we see as fairly significant,” Perry said. “And I know there are a number of community concerns, and I'd like to take a moment and address those.”
He said their species study was done by an independent firm and found no species would be at risk.
“We could not and would not move forward” with the development if there were concerns, he said.
And while the land has been used as trails and outdoor leisure space by residents, it is private property and designated for development by the city. Even after development, he said there is still lots of greenspace in the neighbourhood.
“There's a considerable amount of area nearby that can be used for what our lands are being used for now,” he said, adding that 50 per cent of the land is being dedicated to open space and storm water management.
Area resident Erin Holloway told the committee that the loss of the greenspace is a big blow to the neighbourhood.
“I realize it's not public property ... but it's an important part of our community,” Holloway said. “It's upsetting for someone who grew up in that area.”
She has concerns about increased traffic in the area, and questioned whether such a large project would really have no impact on endangered species in the area.
“I don't understand how that could be possible,” she said.
Holloway was told the study has to be reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and that it's a public document she could receive to review.
