What to build at Melbourne & Riddell?
By Mark Schadenberg
WOODSTOCK -- Prices haven’t been set and exact square footages are undetermined, but there was some good news at Woodstock city council last Thursday (Oct. 4) when a planning report was passed on the future of the former Beckett Farm Market property.
Originally, there was the possibility of a 12-storey condominium apartment building. The idea of condo apartments is good as it maintains a retired person(s) equity position in real estate, but the height of the previous proposal didn’t sit well with neighbours on Melbourne, Graham and Riddell streets.
The Shadow
The main problem is that the height of the building would have placed Melbourne in the shadow.
A new idea was drawn up by developer / builder Ray Losee (Losee Riddell Manor Inc along with Nellwood Construction) of Woodstock to instead build two-storey townhouses on the site. In essence, their appearance in council chambers was to confirm a medium density zoning on the property instead of high density, to enable the future construction of 56 adjoining/townhouses on this 2.27 acres with 34% of the land to be maintained as open space, along with its 90 parking spaces.
The idea or vision presented to council included a photo rendering / concept site plan, so I cut-and-paste it and include it here.
What is interesting is that the former (and obviously nearby) Woodstock General Hospital will likely see a similar evolution – in my opinion and from what has been suggested in public meetings.
Council passed a motion Oct. 4, stating: “. . . the proposed amendment maintains the strategic initiatives and objectives of the Official Plan as it pertains to residential development in the City of Woodstock and is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement (2005).”
I could write an entire chapter (or three books) on the province’s law, which literally dictated a plan in the foreseeable future of how density of homes was to be dealt with by municipalities. The Ontario government wants intensive homescapes to maximize the efficiency of land use for residential purposes. Simply put: build up and not out. Build homes with less street frontage. Sever wide lots and then build in-between. A tighter cluster of homes is seen everywhere locally in new construction.
Experienced Builder
One of the reasons I like this Losee complex is that their company has built similar units locally and as recently as last year with the not-completely-sold-yet row freehold bungalow townhomes at the corner of Anderson and Canrobert streets.
Remember, while city council would not and never does approve each and every building permit for residential homes, council will have another look at this ‘upcoming neighbourhood’ when site plan approval is requested. This Oct. 4 move was to change zoning, which also needs County of Oxford approval.
When you’re ready to sell or buy, call:
Mark Schadenberg, sales rep
Royal LePage Triland, Woodstock
(519) 537-1553
No comments:
Post a Comment