Waterford residents weigh in on proposed housing development

Norfolk County councilors heard from both supporters and those who have concerns about a major new housing development proposed for Waterford.

Steve Carrol spoke in favor of the plan to build a 272-unit housing project at 257 West Church Street while others, including Heidi Nabert raised issues such as water pressure and traffic congestion during a public meeting in the Norfolk council chambers on Tuesday.

The proposal includes single-detached homes, as well as apartment and townhouse-style condominiums.

“Infrastructure is a huge concern of mine,” Nabert said. “I’ve noticed a difference in my water pressure.”

Nabert, a 22-year resident of Waterford, said she’s also concerned about the impact the proposal will have on parking in the area noting that vehicles are a necessity in Waterford.

A past resident of downtown Toronto, Nabert recalled that back then she could go anywhere without a vehicle. That’s not the case in Waterford.

Andrew Pease is also concerned about water pressure noting that at his home the pressure is so low some days he can barely take a shower.

“We totally support this proposal,” Carrol said. “We need development in Waterford to sustain the existing infrastructure – without tax dollars and development fees were going to go backward.”

Carrol, a life-long resident of Waterford, and his wife Val, owns several residential and commercial properties.

He said people moving into Waterford are becoming active in the community. The Lions and Lioness clubs do a lot in the community and both have added new members in recent years.

Lori Shuback, who also spoke at the meeting, said the proposal would give her an opportunity to adopt the lifestyle she wants without having to move to Simcoe or Brantford.

Grant McDonald raised concerns about traffic. He questioned how the existing roads could handle the additional traffic that will come from the development if it’s allowed to go through.

Called the Silos of Waterford, the project, if approved, will be built on land that was home to an agricultural supply depot. There are 13 silos, storage buildings, a bus depot and a fueling station on the property.

Plans call for the silos to come down.

Pat Pursley is concerned about how that would affect people who have respiratory issues like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pursley was told the demolition will be done through a step-by-step process without any detonation.

The project is being proposed by Verlinda Homes and was brought to the county by John Vallee, of G. Douglas Vallee Consulting Engineers, Architects and Planners and presented to councilors at a May 2 meeting public hearing committee meeting.

Plans call for county planning staff to review the proposal and comments from residents and bring a report to councilors with a recommendation to a future meeting.

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