‘A win for both parties’: Stacked townhouse project moves forward in Wellesley

A controversial housing project in Wellesley is moving forward, now that the township and the developer have reached an agreement to avoid an Ontario Land Tribunal hearing.

The development will see ten stacked townhouses going up at 1060 Queen’s Bush Road, a residential area with single-detached homes and a school across the street.

The original plan would have seen 15-units replace one house at that address on the east side of Wellesley. Township council was willing to go with eight units.

The new agreement will allow ten to be built.

The statement from the Township noted over 90 per cent of the housing stock in the Township of Wellesley consists of single detached dwellings. That statement goes on to say the township and the developer “have agreed to a site plan review and approval process.”

“Council did not make this decision on a settlement agreement lightly, we spent many hours discussing and deliberating with Township legal counsel and staff, Mayor Joe Nowak said. “While both parties did not get everything they originally wanted, I think this settlement provides a win for both parties and that more housing across the street from the school and within walking distance of downtown Wellesley is a benefit to the Township.”

Township CAO Rik Louwagie added, “Staff is confident that the proposed development will assist in providing a type of housing that is needed in the community that is a more affordable option than single family dwellings.”

This will include stormwater management, a sidewalk in front of the property, board-on-board fencing for the neighbours’ privacy, and lighting.

The statement reads, “The agreement allows for some increased density on the property, which is encouraged by Provincial, Regional and Township planning policies, but not as much as originally envisioned by the developer.

“By reaching this settlement, Council believes the Township has been better served and received a more favourable outcome than if a full hearing had proceeded.”

A tribunal hearing was set to begin in October, and would have cost the township tens of thousands of dollars, the statement said.

The townhouses will be one and two-bedroom units.