FERGUS – Centre Wellington council has endorsed an amendment to the County of Wellington Official Plan that could pave the way for a housing development at 650 Victoria Terrace in Fergus.
The property is currently designated as an employment area. The proposed amendment would redesignate it as a delineated built-up area, which the township says is the first step needed to consider redevelopment of the site for housing.
Plans call for the existing industrial buildings to be replaced with a cluster townhouse development.
Following public, agency, and staff feedback, the proposal was revised to:
- Reduce the number of townhomes from 192 to 180
- Remove the proposed commercial space
- Add a publicly accessible municipal park
- Increase tree protection and landscaped buffers
- Remove one vehicle entrance from Victoria Terrace
The township says the revised plans also remove the proposed commercial space, add a publicly accessible municipal park, increase tree protection and landscaped buffers, and eliminate one vehicle entrance from Victoria Terrace.
“The site is surrounded on three sides by residential neighbourhoods, a school and other institutional uses. Planning studies found that the property is not well suited for long-term industrial use and that changing the designation would not affect the Township’s supply of employment lands,” a press release said.
The County of Wellington will now consider the Official Plan Amendment.
If it’s approved, township staff say they will bring forward additional reports on the local Official Plan amendment and zoning changes required for the proposed development.
The township says detailed matters, including traffic, pedestrian safety, servicing, noise, tree protection, parking and site design, will continue to be addressed through future planning approvals.
