Municipality of Chatham-Kent Council unanimously supported the Wallaceburg South Side Secondary Plan on Monday night, March 18, 2024.
Council gave the green light to a pair of staff recommendations, approving Official Plan Amendment No. 80 and the implementation of a by-law for the Secondary Plan, along with adopting the Concept Report from February 2024, as a supporting document to the plan.
“Adoption of this plan would establish new policies for the planning area that will guide all future private and public investment,” said Anthony Jas, manager of development, in a staff report.
“More clearly, future development proposals in the planning area will be assessed against the policies of the Secondary Plan.”
Jas said Council initiated the Secondary Plan process for a portion of the south side of Wallaceburg back in September 2020.
The study area was bounded to the north by the Sydenham River, to the east by Murray Street, to the south by the Canadian National Railway corridor, and to the west by McNaughton Avenue.
“The planning area consists of a small but historically significant part of the community’s downtown core, along with adjacent residential, commercial, institutional, recreational, and former industrial land uses,” Jas said in his report.
“The Secondary Plan process was initiated in recognition of the impacts that decades of economic decline have had on the vitality of the planning area, reflected in the numerous vacant and underutilized properties. The overarching goal of the Secondary Plan process has been to create a vision and planning framework that can breathe new life into this once vibrant area, while identifying opportunities to replenish and increase the housing stock. The Secondary Plan will set a vision for how the planning area can evolve over time, with a planning horizon set for 2046.”
Jas said throughout the engagement process, over 400 responses were received from the following activities: 15 individual and group interviews, two online surveys, two open houses and one workshop.
Jas said a vision statement was developed for the planning area during the engagement process, which states: “The planning area is envisioned as a welcoming, revitalized, attractive, and safe part of Wallaceburg’s community core that complements and supports the north side of downtown, while offering distinct amenities and experiences for residents and visitors.”
In support of the vision, Jas said the following principles were identified to guide the evolution of the planning area’s land uses, development, and infrastructure:
– Sustainability: Achieved through efficient land uses that meet the needs of current residents, while planning for future generations (placing climate change, land/resource availability, and affordability at the forefront of decisions).
– Complete community: Achieved by providing a mix of land uses, building typologies, and amenities that are supported through safe and effective connectivity.
– Inclusivity: Achieved through land uses and urban design that support and celebrate the diversity of residents through the 8-80-city approach (if the design works for 8 and 80 year olds, it will work for most people).
Jas said the following five structures and high-level goals were developed to implement the vision:
– Activity Areas Structure: Placeknowing and placemaking
– Mobility Network Structure: Safety and connectivity
– Parkland Network Structure: Community wellness
– Land Use Designations Structure: Encouraging growth
– Intensification Areas Structure: Managing growth
Jas added the future implementation of the Secondary Plan, will lead to physical change within the planning area, including:
– New medium and high density residential development, contributing to the 200 to 250 new dwelling units envisioned for the area.
– Approximately 1.4 ha (3.5 ac.) of new parkland.
– A pedestrian-focused promenade on Wallace Street and McDougall Street to support programming in a new waterfront park.
– A recreation corridor (multi-use path) adjacent to the railway corridor.
– An improved mobility network to enhance circulation and safety.
In addition to public review of first draft of the plan, Jas said an internal review was conducted by administration, which resulted in a revision regarding the maximum height provision for Intensification Area E, 55 Minnie Street, Wallaceburg.
“This is a municipal owned parcel that is envisioned for a new mixed market/affordable rental apartment building,” Jas said in his report.
“The revision will allow for a four storey development, whereas Draft 1 OPA limited development to three stories.”
Jas added this change is supported based on:
– The parcel being large enough to provide appropriate separation of development from adjacent residential land uses (i.e. off-street parking area can be used as a buffer from adjacent residential lots).
– Building location can be towards the southeast of the lot where no new
development is proposed.
– Provides flexibility in building design to maximize the unit potential for the site
Jas said the following next steps can be expected:
– By-laws to adopt associated zoning regulations for the planning area will be brought before Council over time as private or public redevelopment occurs. This would include a public process where notice will be given.
– Administration exploring implementation strategies for the consideration of Council.
– Strategies may include: Creation of a Chatham-Kent cross-departmental Implementation Plan; completion of waterfront land acquisition process; creation of a cross-sectoral Advisory Committee to oversee waterfront park Master Plan process and identification of external funding opportunities.
Jas said the “body of work” for the project can be viewed at the Let’s Talk CK project page, here.
