A week after city council received a growth analysis study predicting the population of St. Thomas will almost double by 2051, members Monday evening got an insight into where many of those newcomers may live.
A sprawling residential development stretching from Wellington Road northwest to Major Line is being proposed by two developers.
Landrise Developments/Don West Construction and Lecram Inc. have acquired the majority of land in the Sandymount Development Area with a proposal to add almost 1,500 housing units, including single detached homes, townhouses and high density apartments.
Lecram is proposing a draft plan of subdivision encompassing 42.12 hectares to include 15.23 hectares for single detached residential uses, 1.92 hectares for multiple attached residential uses (townhomes), 3.16 hectares for high density residential development (2 blocks), 6.08 hectares for nine new streets, two blocks (0.02 hectares) for walkways, two blocks (0.31 hectares) for 10-metre wide multi-use paths, one block (0.92 hectares) for an active park, one block (1.24 hectares) for stormwater management, six blocks (9.41 hectares) for open space, 24 blocks (0.01 hectares) for reserves, one block (0.33 hectares) for a 6-metre wide trail corridor and linear park, one block (3.33 hectares) for mixed use and 10 blocks
(0.26 hectares) for future residential.
Land Rise is proposing a draft plan of subdivision encompassing 15.40 hectares to include 4.42 hectares for single detached residential uses, 0.26 hectares for multiple attached residential uses (townhomes), 1.11 hectares for high density residential development (1 block), 2.13 hectares for three new streets, three blocks (0.04 hectares) for walkways, one block (0.36 hectares) for an active park, one block (0.40 hectares) for stormwater management, two blocks (5.87 hectares) for open space, 4 blocks (0.001 hectares) for reserves, one
block (0.44 hectares) for a 6-metre wide trail corridor and linear park, and 10 blocks (0.37 hectares) for future residential.
Lou Pompilii, the city’s director of planning & building, explained to council the developers are working in a coordinated, cooperative fashion to build “a singular community.”
He added there will be an extensive internal trail network with road connections to Major Line, Wellington Road and ultimately to Sunset Drive.
He continued, it will be up to the municipality to ensure “there are proper connections from this development to the rest of the city.”
This may be a component of the refresh process now underway on the city’s Transportation Master Plan. An open house will be held for public input on the plan June 25 from 4 until 7 p.m. at Memorial Arena.
Coun. Steve Peters stressed the need for commercial development in the growth area so residents are able to walk to a convenience store, for example.
Pompilii noted there will be future development along Sunset Drive and Major Line.
City council unanimously approved motions to authorize staff to prepare site-specific draft amendments to the official plan and zoning bylaw to permit the proposed residential development.,
A public meeting is scheduled for July 15, at which time further information will be made available on a construction schedule.
