In their first planning meeting of the term Monday night, Chatham-Kent councilors threw their support behind the draft plan for a new subdivision in Wallaceburg.
Trident Builders, a private development group, is proposing a residential development at the former WT Laing public school property at 800 Elizabeth St.
A community meeting took place last month to discuss the planning applications for a zoning bylaw amendment and the draft plan of subdivision, which would include a mix of sales and rentals when completed.
One phase will see the construction of 16 semi-detached dwellings (32 dwelling units), with 11 dwellings (22 units) fronting on Elizabeth Street, and the remaining five dwellings (10 units) fronting on Lisgar Street.
Another phase, which will front on Elgin Street, proposes the construction of four townhouse dwellings containing a total of 24 units.
Council heard that service infrastructure along Elizabeth and Lisgar streets currently can’t accommodate the development, but the applicant, the municipality and public utilities commission will share costs for upgrades, as well as road improvements.
The school closed in 2001 and was demolished in 2010. It has been vacant since that time, according to a staff report.
Representing the developer, David French of Storey Samways Planning, said after the appeal period, the detailed design would take place, for the infrastructure and the buildings themselves.
“We still have to go through site plan approval,” he said. “It’s the hope and goal of the ownership group to actually begin site construction and building construction of the townhouse units in the spring of 2023.”
Although it isn’t considered an affordable housing project, French said the developers recognize that the price will be “what the market can bear” in the community.
Wallaceburg Coun. Aaron Hall called the development good news for the area, given the need for housing.
“Chatham-Kent has experienced some great strides in recent years in growth,” he said. “I’m just really excited to see Wallaceburg coming in on this, and help fill some of that housing gap.”