Planning for a housing development on the old co-op lands in Waterford is underway.
Tom O’Hara is calling the proposal Silos of Waterford and is looking to build a development that will address the housing shortage and give young people an affordable way to enter the housing market.
“It’s going to be a tremendous project,” O’Hara said. “Our goal is to provide possible housing within the mid-rises that are part of the plan.
“We’re looking at having some studios, one-bedroom, two -bedroom units – the smaller, less expensive units that target the young people of Norfolk.”
For many young people these days, purchasing a home is out-of-reach because of the cost. The smaller units being considered for the Silos of Waterford project would be a first purchase for young people enabling them to enter the housing market, O’Hara said.
Plans call for the development to include townhouses and two mid-rise buildings.
The density of the development or the number of units to be put on the site hasn’t yet been determined, O’Hara said.
Although the proposal is in its early stages, O’Hara said a public meeting to let people know what is being considered was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 123 in Waterford last Thursday night.
About 75 people attended the meeting and provided some good feedback, O’Hara said.
As a result of the feedback obtained, changes to the plan are being considered. Specifically, the developer is looking at changing the townhouses to single-family homes to provide housing to young, local families, O’Hara said.
The next step in the process is to incorporate some of the feedback received from local residents. After that will come an application for a zoning amendment for the property.
Having a public meeting ahead of the start of the formal application process ensures people at least know what’s being planned and gives them an opportunity to have input, O’Hara said.
The nine-acre property is bound by McCool Street, Nichol Street, Church Street West and the Waterford Heritage Trail.
There are a large number of silos on the property and O’Hara said that research indicates that they are at the end of their life cycle.
Within the next six months, or less, the silos will be taken down in a safe and appropriate manner, O’Hara, a resident of Waterford, said.
Terry Bonnett, president of the Waterford Heritage Trail Association, said the silos are a local landmark but most people recognize that they are at their end of life and at some point will be deemed unsafe.
Reaction to the proposal is mixed with some people raising concerns about traffic and increasing development in the community. However, others have cited a need for more housing.
Plans call for a zoning amendment application to be submitted and presented to council within the next year.
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