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Engineer Brad Pryde (L) and planner Ron Davidson discuss the
subdivision proposed for the south end of Ripley A crowd filled
the Huron-Kinloss council chamber Monday night (April 27) to hear about
a proposed 80-unit subdivision at 32 Huron St., at the south end of
Ripley.
The developer, David Brown, is already well-known to residents for his
proposed $10-million Ripley Square project which would transform the
village's downtown core.
Bruce County planner Heather James outlined the subdivision which would
include 51 single-detached dwellings and 29 townhouse units on 23 acres
of land. Access to the property would be from Huron Street (Bruce County
Road 7) and would involve the extension of McLeod Street from the north.
A municipal park would be included, as well as a stormwater management
basin and associated drainage corridor. There are a house and four
accessory buildings on the property which would all be removed.
James had received several objections from residents and one from the
Ripley Fire Chief who is concerned that the subdivision may not be
served with an adequate volume of fire-water. The engineers are looking
into this concern.
Meanwhile, the neighbouring residents are worried about adequate water
and sewer, proper drainage, and increased costs of policing and roads
because of the huge influx of people to this subdivision.
One question was about the unsightliness of a stormwater management
pond.
However, engineer Brad Pryde ensured the crowd that such a pond can be
absorbed into the landscape and made more visually pleasing.
Another question asked where all the people were coming from to live in
the townhouse units, and where would they be working?
"This is an area of growth, with the expansion of the Bruce Nuclear
site," said planner Ron Davidson. "The three blocks of townhouse units
would be for families and seniors."
(next column)
30/04/2009 11:11 PM
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The proposed subdivision would include 51 single-detached dwellings
and 29 townhouse units at 32 Huron St., Ripley
Chris MacLennan, a property owner in Ripley, agreed with the proposed
subdivision but questioned its design, with townhouses backing onto the
single-detached dwellings.
Davidson said the single family dwellings are on big lots, far away from
the townhouse properties. There is also provision for a fence along the
rear yard of the townhouses, he said, noting that the municipality will
be placing site plan control on this project with conditions to be met
before Brown can get building permits.
Christine MacDonald is concerned about adding so many lots to the "neighbourly"
Village of Ripley. "We don't really want a lot of fences either," she
said.
Davidson said the project will be phased in, through an agreement worked
out with the township.
"This is small-town Ontario," agreed councillor Jim Hanna. "We struggle
with this because the province wants denser development in urban areas."
"That also protects agricultural land," added councillor Anne Eadie.
"I'm encouraged that we have a developer here who is ready to build,"
said Hanna.
"I sit at the county level on all of this," said mayor Mitch Twolan.
"Not everybody can afford a single family dwelling. But the less
fortunate need housing too. I want to thank Mr. Brown for bringing this
kind of development to Ripley. And I believe all the concerns raised
here tonight can be addressed through site plan control."
Council, in planning advisory committee, supported the subdivision
project.
James said everyone who attended the public meeting that night or
submitted letters of objection, will receive notice of the passage of
the draft plan approval for the subdivision.
Brown told council he is working on the Ripley Square project but it is
a very complicated and delicate process.
"We're talking about the future of the commercial core of Ripley," he
said. "It's not something that will happen instantly. It's a challenging
project and I want it to be a successful one. It's going to take about
three to five years."
He said the building on the corner of Queen and Huron Streets (Courtney
building) was an absolute wreck when he purchased it and now it's a
beautiful anchor for downtown Ripley, housing Dalton Pottery.
"I take this responsibility seriously," he said. "There has been a lot
of thought, effort, time and money put into this project so far."
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