Warkworth property rezoned for housing
Warkworth property rezoned for housing
Land on western edge of village had been zoned for employment
A little over three hectares (7.6 acres) of land on the western edge of Warkworth have been rezoned to permit housing.
The property at 122 Mill St., across from the cemetery and nursing home, had been zoned as an employment area, but the county and municipality agreed with owners Matthew Stearns and Lise Varrette that it is a better spot for homes.
The change was supported by council at its meeting on Thursday. Discussions about what will be built on the site are in their early stages.
Planning Director Jim Peters said the property could have anywhere from 50 to 150 units and discussions have included manufactured homes or other innovative approaches.
New building bylaw passed
Council passed a new building bylaw based on the current Ontario building code and replacing an outdated bylaw from 2001.
Chief Building Official Stephen White said the new bylaw replaces three old bylaws. It will provide more clarity and “speed things up.”
Councillors asked about new provincial building code changes set to take effect next year.
White said most of the changes will be minor revisions, but there will be changes in the treatment of agricultural buildings, which will have an impact in our area.
Hastings flood property on tax sale list
Council recently rezoned a property on Division St. in Hastings to make it clear the vacant lot, which floods sometimes in the spring which has led to one home being inundated, is not suitable for building.
During the discussion no one mentioned that the property owner was behind in their taxes and the building was going to be put up for sale. But now, it’s on the latest list of properties the municipality is selling off with a minimum tender of $18,880.33.
Nappan Island plan passed
Council passed a revised subdivision agreement bylaw to permit development on Nappan Island.
The agreement is with the current owner, 1865106 Ontario Limited (Nappan Island), which has the property listed for sale for $7 million.
Planning Director Jim Peters said in an email that the new agreement reflects changes in the plans that the municipality and the owner had worked out. “On mutual agreement some sections were removed and clarified to better reflect the rural nature of the subdivision,” he said.
The plan calls for 69 units to be built in phases.