Municipality of Chatham-Kent planning department staff are putting forward a series of recommendations, which would help pave the way for a proposed new apartment complex in Wallaceburg.
As previously reported, Council will consider the proposal to sever a property to create a new 5.4-acre site on Base Line Road in Wallaceburg at the virtual Council meeting slated for Monday, February 14, 2022.
A staff report indicates that an official plan amendment application, land severance and a minor variance application are all being recommended for approval.
“The subject property is a farm parcel located on the south side of Base Line between Murray Street and Albert Street,” said Ryan Jacques, director of planning services, in a report.
“The frontage of the farm to a depth of approximately 40 metres is within the Community of Wallaceburg and the balance of the farm is within the Community of Chatham Township.”
Jacques said the lands are approximately 19.6 hectares, or 48.4 acres, in total area.
“The lands are designated residential area and agricultural area in the official plan and are zoned agricultural (A1),” Jacques added in the report.
“The lands are currently farmed and vacant of buildings and structures. The purpose of the applications is to create a new 2.2 hectare (5.4 acre) vacant property for future urban uses, capable of developing with up to three new multi storey residential apartment buildings.”
If council approves the land severance, it will mark the first step toward creation of a multi-phase development, the first of which would be a five-story, 85 unit building with a municipal address of 7030 Base Line Road on the community’s southern sector, Municipal officials said in a press release.
The development will be known as Royal Ridge Residences and will feature a mix of one-and two-bedroom units as well as several amenities including an onsite gym, Municipal officials added.
In a staff report, Jacques said if approved, development of the severed lands into new residential uses will require zoning amendments for which additional public notice will be provided, as well as site plan approval.
“Both the zoning by-law amendment and site plan require Council approval,” Jacques added.
Overall, the proposal is consistent with the policies of the provincial policy statement as well, Jacques said in the report.
A zoning by-law amendment application is expected in the near future a well, Jacques added.
“The subject property is entirely in the agricultural zone,” he said in a staff report.
“It is proposed to remain in this zone at this time. It is anticipated a zoning by-law amendment application will be received in the near future, which will inform the necessary regulatory changes required to implement the intended apartment dwelling use. The proposed minor variances will ensure the severed and retained parcels comply with the zoning by-law in the meantime.”
The detailed recommendations can be seen, below:
Earlier this week, Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff said there is significant pent-up demand for additional housing in Wallaceburg.
“This is the first major housing development for the community in years and I expect it will be the first of many,” he said, in a media release.
“There are a number of other projects in the planning phase, and I expect 2023 to be a banner year for residential construction in Wallaceburg.”
Canniff said the developer, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, has a track record of building in Chatham-Kent.
“This is going to be a first-class development and an attractive option for residents.”
The full staff report can be read, here.
Monday’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. and can be LIVE streamed, here.
Main Photo Credit: Google Maps
Inset Photo Credit: Municipality of Chatham-Kent
