Condos in East End of Cobourg

It’s not only affordable Rental housing that’s scarce in Cobourg, but also reasonably priced condos – at least that’s what “200’s” is now considered to be. Stalwood homes has already built and sold 20 such units in their East End development off the South end of Brook Rd North and now wants to start phase 2 with another 20.   At Monday’s C.O.W. Council meeting, the site plan for two more 10-plex units was approved although Councillor Emily Chorley was “disappointed” that there were no accessible units included.  Director Glenn McGlashon explained that the Province does not require housing less than 600 sq. metres to include them.  The developer said that all 20 have been presold and in response to a question said that no-one had asked for an accessible unit.

Stalwood homes - 10-plex
Stalwood homes – 10-plex

When it came to a vote, Emily voted against approval and asked that the developer come back with 2 of the 20 converted to accessible although that might require a “lift” since all units have stairs at their entrance.  But in the final vote, all other councillors voted to approve so the developer will be able to continue to build the two buildings.  The photo at right shows one of the phase one buildings – now occupied – that is identical to the two new ones proposed.

Glenn McGlashon commented that in today’s market, prices in the 200’s suit first home buyers.  The Stalwood homes web site refers to the Phase 2 buildings as Queens Building 1 and 2 and says that they are projected to close in the Spring of 2019.  However, little work has been done so far and the site plan has just now been approved (subject to confirmation at a regular Council meeting) so that seems optimistic.

The rest of the development consists of detached homes that look to be good additions to Cobourg’s housing stock.  In addition, their prices, starting at less than $400K for a detached house, are more affordable than West End housing like New Amherst where detached homes start at $500K and townhomes start at $400K.  Some resales in New Amherst are considerably more.

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Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

Agree fully with Mr. Robertson on his points made below.
Earlier this year, former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and disability advocate David Onley released a scathing report that says the province’s 14-year-old accessibility act is nowhere close to reaching its goal to make Ontario fully accessible by 2025.
Onley, a wheelchair user, says Ontario’s disabled citizens are barred from full inclusion and discriminated against on a daily basis. The lack of suitable housing for the disabled is a major factor.
The new 65 units of the Balder building on University Ave. promise to be fully accessible.
But that is uncommon.
I have not come across any municipal by-laws that demand that any new construction must have accessible units.
Cobourg could be a leader in this regard.

Bob Robertson
5 years ago

Cobourg is behind the times with accessible housing. We have a considerable proportion of Seniors here and others growing older daily to eventually join them. Age often comes with difficulty climbing stairs and accessible housing is more than just providing easy access. The cost to builders is nominal when ALL units are built with accessible features, like wider doors, both to enter and inside, larger bathroom space for wheelchairs to turn, all at minimal extra cost when done as a “new build” and expensive when done as an afterthought.
I know folks with disabilities who have to enter their home through their attached garage to access an a ramp to gain access because the front door is not accessible.
The town needs a by-law that in every development there needs to be at least a proportion of accessible units, whether apartment units, town homes or bungalows.

Bill Prawecki
5 years ago

We were in our twenties when we scrimped and saved to buy a cheap townhouse in Streetsville. Sacrificed a lot with only one income but at least we started to build some equity and moved on. When we moved to Cobourg in 2002 the homes were a lot cheaper but over the years prices have risen everywhere unless you want to move to Elliot Lake. At least Stalwood is making a good attempt here for the condos. As far as the comment about Emily I may not agree with her point of view at times but at least she comes prepared to council and if the council does not agree with her it gets voted down. Democracy in action.

Jade
5 years ago

You call 400 grand affordable?
Yep , for all TDot people. I’m 55 and I have never had a house and I was born and raised in Cobourg.
As always , Cater to all outsiders

Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

Councillor Chorley certainly is marching to a different drummer.
She wanted to delay construction of reasonably priced condos by one of Cobourg’s most reputable builders.
The ‘handicapped’ feature she insisted on is neither required nor wanted by the buyers.
Chorley gained prominence by her relentless struggle to prevent the expansion of three to five apartments
on 395 College Street.
That gained her the support of – Toronto Star terms – the ‘neighborhood fetishists’ who want to ‘shrink wrap their streets’.
Cobourg housing for low income and homeless folks and entry-level condo customers are at a crisis level.
However, Chorley got the traffic woes of the waterfront condo enclave speedy attention.

Dan
Reply to  Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

Why wouldn’t she support accessible housing in this development? It’s nowhere near the downtown.

Rational
Reply to  Walter L. Luedtke
5 years ago

In this comment you appear against accessibility and in the comment above you support accessibility.

Walter L. Luedtke
Reply to  Rational
5 years ago

Chorley appears to be needlessly obstructionist when the accessibility features are neither required nor wanted by the ‘pre-purchasers’ who are waiting for their condos to be built.