A draft plan was given the go-ahead last Wednesday
The Town of Goderich is set to undergo some residential expansion after the approval of draft as plans for a new subdivision gained traction at Huron County Council this week.
The development, spanning approximately 38 hectares, aims to introduce between 497 and 1222 new units through a blend of residential and mixed-use units, including single detached homes, townhouses, condominiums, and mixed-use apartment complexes
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Senior Planner Victor Kloeze, identified several public concerns which have been voiced regarding various aspects of the development. These include worries about the strain on town infrastructure, potential road damage, and the need for increased medical services and housing affordability.
Concerns regarding building height have led to a reduction from 12 stories to a maximum of 8, subject to approval from relevant authorities. Fire safety considerations have been paramount, with plans to ensure adequate firefighting capabilities for taller structures.
MacLellan as seen at a meeting in January
Despite deliberations on drainage, lot sizes, and density concerns, the Town Council of Goderich voted to approve the draft plan on January 15. Mayor of Huron East Bernie MacLellan questioned that the fire services limitations would dictate what would best serve the community, calling into attention firefighting capabilities in denser developments.
Kloeze said that the limitation was not necessarily on the ability overall, but also in a lack of equipment which wouldn’t be used in other situations, as well as a lack of training for the specific practices needed to combat fires in tall buildings.
The plan approved at council anticipates starting in some of the less dense sections of the proposed subdivision, with plans to move toward higher density as the project develops.
At the moment, the density approved has been set at a six storey cap in this case, with option to expand to eight should the chief building official and fire chief think it appropriate at that time.
Written by: B. Shakyaver