Skip to content

Proposed new subdivision

Rough plans for a proposed subdivision were brought to council for consideration prior to the finalization of the sale of the property.

Rough plans for a proposed subdivision were brought to council for consideration prior to the finalization of the sale of the property.

Yves Ouellette brought forward the plans to see if council would be willing to consider allowing for a proposed 10-year plan to develop about 80 hectares, behind town, beginning from Carnell Street.

Ouellette Bros. Enterpriaes Ltd. is looking at purchasing the Crown land from the provincial government but the province wants some assurance the land will be developed rather than just sat on, and so he brought his plans to council for discussion.

The proposed subdivision includes a range of residential lots, from single residence lots to lots allocated for potential duplexes, multiplexes and an area for mobile homes as well, and the application includes some commercially zoned property potentially and parkland but did not include the bylaw requirements of storm sewers or sidewalks, which Ouellette said are not part of the plan.

A short discussion then took place, regarding the specific requirements for new subdivisions to clarify if a plan without storm drains and sidewalks could be approved.

“Well then if you’re calling for anything different, then we’ll just scrap the whole plan,” said Ouellette, “because you’ll never sell lots for $70,000 in town.”

He then referred to a previous development plan which was scrapped due to bylaw constraints which he considered too costly.

The amended bylaws for new subdivisions, changed in 2011, require all new subdivisions to include storm sewers and sidewalks, but with underground power being optional.

“Not everybody in this town wants all concrete,” said Ouellette.

Councillor Willick asked if the developer might consider doing a mixed subdivision, some with sidewalks and storm sewers, etc, some without.

Ouellette did not say no to the idea, and said there may be the demand for both.

“I think it’s something that will be researched and we’ll ask some questions we’ll give it full value … and see what we want moving forward,” said Mayor Rob MacDougall.

As of press time, council had prepared a letter in response to the proposed subdivision and Mayor MacDougall will be meeting with Ouellette to discuss some questions council still had and possible options.

Ouellette will still have to complete some more paperwork to apply for variances on the bylaws and there is also some concern regarding some of the property he is proposing to develop, as a “significant portion” according to Crook, is currently designated as “green belt” within the Official Community Plan.

Green belts are usually designated as such because they are considered unsuitable for development due to difficulty to develop or ecological sensitivity, Crook explained.

Yves Ouellette was not available for further comment prior to press time.