By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Chatham-Kent council has paved the way for a new 131-unit residential development in Ridgetown.
At its recent planning meeting, council approved rezoning 23 acres of vacant farmland to support the Highland Subdivision expansion.
Bordered by Warwick and Cecil streets on Ridgetown’s east side, the Clarke Developments Corp. project will include both single and semi-detached units, a public park space and stormwater management infrastructure.
Council heard several deputations on the matter from residents living near the proposed development. Some asked that a seven-foot privacy fence be built to shield neighbours from construction, while others expressed concerns that the developer wanted to lower the lot frontage size to squeeze more houses in.
However, council heard from C-K planning services director Ryan Jacques who stressed that the lots must have 45 feet of frontage, with the exception of a handful of corner lots that are only required to have 43 feet of frontage.
Jacques pointed out the developer has undertaken several studies as part of the application, including a traffic study, an environmental impact assessment and an archeological assessment, noting a public information meeting about the subdivision was held in October. Local roads with connections to Cecil Street South and Elizabeth Street are part of the proposal as well.
Council also heard from planner David French of Storey Samways Planning, representing Clarke Developments, who stressed the zoning change puts “strict limitations on the developer’s ability to subdivide the parcels any further.”
If the developer wanted to create smaller lots in the future, French said the request would have to come back before council.
Following questions from East Kent Coun. Morena McDonald, French assured council the developer wants to be a good neighbour and will maintain an “open-door” policy to hear concerns.
Councillors learned Highland Subdivision will be built according to market demand and could take up to 15 years.
Final site approval will come before council Dec. 16.
