There are three new residential developments coming to Cobourg, one new commercial development and more details are being provided on a previously planned commercial development. One notification was at the Council meeting on June 28 and four will be at the Committee of the Whole meeting on July 19. The three residential developments require public meetings and must be approved (or not) in 120 days or the applicant could refer the matter to the Ontario Land Tribunal (previously the OMB). The two commercial developments have 30 days and no public meetings – so we can expect a fairly quick response. One of the applications includes a large, five storey apartment building with 86 units and these could be condos or for rent although if they are condos some owners would likely rent them out. Overall it looks like there will be a whole lot of new homes even without Town subsidies.
New Residential Developments
See the links below to download copies of the Planning Department’s memos to Council plus the Site Plans. But first, here are summaries.
357 – 361 Elgin West – adjacent to YMCA on one side and James Cockburn Park on the other.
Plans include one 5 storey apartment building with 86 units – my calculation is that units will average less than 800 sq. ft. per unit – and 16 2 storey Townhouses at about double that size. A common access road will connect with Elgin. Some of the property is actually in the Cobourg Creek flood plain but these areas will only be used for parking. The GRCA has been consulted on the design to make sure there are not any concerns.
This property (actually a group of 3 parcels – 357, 359 and 361 Elgin) was approved for development some years ago for a different owner – let’s hope the new owner finishes the project.
Council is expected to refer this to the Planning Department for a report and to schedule a Public Meeting.
440-448 Elgin West – on the north side of Elgin opposite Fellowship Baptist Church.
The developer is planning 24 Townhouses in four groups and four different designs. My calculations suggest units of around 1800 – 1900 sq. ft. including a garage. The houses will be accessed via a crescent road with two accesses to Elgin. It looks like these will be for sale, not rent. Council is expected to refer this project to the Planning Department for a report and to schedule a Public Meeting.
New Amherst Stage 2, Phase 3. On the West side of New Amherst Blvd. From just south of the Clock Tower to Kerr Street.
I counted 147 lots but although it’s a draft plan of subdivision, there was no indication yet of what kind of housing there would be – townhomes, detached or semi-detached. But it looks like New Amherst is not yet finished. This area includes the proposed school for Catholic French speaking students which was discussed in March 2018. Go here and also here but that’s managed separately. Council is expected to refer this project to the Planning Department for a report and to schedule a Public Meeting.
New/updated Commercial Developments
New Plaza 1025 Elgin West – that’s directly north of Staples and adjacent to A & W. Similar to the one currently under construction and nearing completion, it will have five stores including one with a drive-through restaurant capability. The site plan (in links below) provides more detail. Council is expected to refer this project to the Planning Department for a report.
Planned Supermarket at 545 King St. East, south-east corner of Willmott. This has been talked about since 2007 and now the developer is asking Council to approve a development agreement. He wants to proceed in three phases.
Phase one would include two small buildings – a restaurant right on the corner and a 9000 sq. ft. retail building with room for 5 stores a bit further south. The restaurant would as usual have a drive-through capability.
Phase Two would expand the retail building by another 9000 sq. ft. and provide more parking spaces.
Phase Three would build the 35,000 sq. ft. Supermarket at the East end of the property. (That’s slightly bigger than the new Foodland/Sobeys on Division). The site plan in links below provides more detail.
There is no indication of the time frame for any of the phases.
Links
Download key documents provided by Planning.
- 357 – 361 Elgin West – 86 Apartments and 16 Townhouses
- 440-448 Elgin West – 24 Townhouses
- New Amherst Stage 2, Phase 3 – approx. 147 houses
- New Plaza 1025 Elgin West – near A & W on Mall property
- Planned Supermarket at 545 King St. East – update
When scheduled and made public, Public Meetings are listed here.
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I would encourage everyone interested in ensuring that all these & future development projects are done in an environmentally & sustainable manner, to encourage our Council to prepare and implement the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) and associated Green Development Standards (GDS) as soon as possible.
10.12. Memo from the Director of Planning and Development regarding the Project Management Services RFP for the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP), Green Development Standards (GDS), Community Efficiency Financing Feasibility Study (CEFFS) Project 221 Action Recommended: THAT Council award RFP Contract CO-21-18 PDD to Colliers Project Leaders for the provision of professional project management services for the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP), Green Development Standards (GDS) and Community Efficiency Financing Feasibility Study (CEFFS) study process in the amount of $87,500.00 + HST; AND FURTHER THAT Council authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to enter into an Agreement for Professional Services and finalize other applicable documentation with Colliers Project Leaders to administer and manage the ICSP/GDS/CEFFS study process.
Now, to get all these development projects, residential, MURB, retail & commercial to provide EV charging stations for their residents, clients and customers!
With the use of cars so popular, making large heat island creating lots in development everywhere, perhaps it is time the parking lots (and possibly related pavements) are mandated become energy collectors to contribute to the energy needed to feed our lifestyles.
John. Your work is incredible. Thanks for all the time and thought you put in to keeping all of Cobourg informed on what is happening. I have spent all of the summer at my northern cottage: planting a few trees and flowers, enjoying the (intermittent) sun and all I have to do to stay informed about What’s Up in Cobourg is to open your email ! A BIG Thanks!!
Will the Town require added capacity for potable water and water treatment as a result of these new developments…if so, will the added cost be relegated to just the new developments or to the existing town taxpayers as well as a shared cost?
These costs are calculated and are paid by the developer in the form of “Development Charges”
Developers pay for development not Cobourgers!
Thanks Ben
That is the concept of development charges. However, is there evidence that the amounts collected actually fully fund the added costs?
Good question. When you obtain the info, please share it, then we can have something to talk about.
That determination is above my pay grade. I’m certain that a consultant will be required for any assessment.
Answer is above. The Town regularly reviews and increases Development fees and they are quite steep. Check them out on the Towns website and, in particular, note the high fees on the East end where there were no existing services originally. These fees of course contribute to higher cost of new housing and start to pay property taxes to the town and increase overall tax base compared to vacant land.
Thanks Sam
Actually,
Development charges are charged whether, or not, the Town incurs any costs such as for example in-fill developments where services already exist.
Sam, you are correct on both counts. However your observations don’t answer whether, in aggregate, development charges actually cover the cost of growth.
Ask a “fair question” and 11 people give it a “thumbs down”? This really shows we have residents with their heads in the sand. The truth and answer will show itself over time.
Just carry on, and ignore the thumbs up and the thumbs down.
Since you’re wondering, cornbread. I feel like some questions come with very obvious answers. That and negativity permeates through most of your posts.
Not long ago I was told the potable water treatment facility is operating way under capacity. It was designed with more manufacturing, like the Kraft plant, operating and using lots of water. I do not know about the capacity of waste water treatment. There is also the issue of the existing sewage pipes. If they are not large enough waste water will not get to the treatment plant quickly enough.
Developers are responsible to determine if the local sewage pipes can handle the increased demand. At least this is what I have been told.
Kevin:
Why should developers be responsible for determining the capacity of the Town’s water/sewer system? These systems are not the developers’ property or responsibility to operate/manage.
Developers should certainly be able (required and be responsible) to tell the Town how much “load” their development will deliver (add) to the Town’s sewer and water systems.
Do you recall who provided you with this information?
Public works?
Planning?
Consultant?
I recall reading a reference to just that issue here not long ago, with reference to a development that some builder wanted to build on Elgin St. west of Ontario St.
JimT:
That and also the Holiday Inn, I believe.
Bryan, it might have been here as JimT wrote. It could also have been from a conversation with the developer of the apartment building on University.
Kevin:
Thanks for your comment.
I assume that the apt building you reference is the one under construction (Balder) at University & William.
I don’t doubt that the Town may (is) require the developers to prove the water & sewer capacity of the Town’s systems beyond the boundary of the development. The question remains: is the Town, in fact, doing this and why? Perhaps a senior Town staffer, developer or councilor will comment and clarify the issue
357 – 361 Elgin West , it was about 30 years ago when this property was first clear of trees
some underground services were installed at that time , than the market dried up