Amendments Coming To Ferguson Drive Plans

Friday, 17 May 2019 06:56

Woodstock City council will go back to the developer with some changes regarding the proposed apartment buildings on Ferguson Drive.

WOODSTOCK - The application for the proposed apartment buildings on Ferguson Drive will go through some changes.

Several members of the community were on hand to support nearly 10 residents who voiced their concerns to council.

Mayor Trevor Birtch says a new application will be submitted after discussions are held with the developer, addressing the community's issues.

"The one good thing that we've learned with our new partner here in the city that is looking to do these apartment buildings is that he's been very receptive to some of the asks of the neighbourhood, so he's already looking at making sure that he includes stairs that will go up the embankment to the city's park area, which is located is immediately north of Fanshawe College. One of the buildings he's looking at developing would be strictly for seniors and we know there is a large need in the community for seniors. So we're going to talk to him about some of the issues regarding the parking, and the heights of the buildings and the density. And I think that we'll have an application come back that there'll still be people in the neighbourhood who still do not want to see anything built in their backyard, and that's something council faces every time we have new developments in existing neighbourhoods, but I think what we'll see him come back with will be something the entire city, as well as the majority of the community, will find very acceptable."

The project is being developed by PICI Investments and is planned to be built in the area near Fanshawe College.

Mayor Birtch says the new changes will be beneficial to residents and answer any of their questions regarding the development.

"One thing that'll be a good thing that'll come out from this is that we'll make sure that everyone is aware of what has been done in traffic studies, as an example. What types of parking considerations for on street parking in the neighbourhood, we'll also be looking at the runoff of storm water and the green space. So this will be a way of making sure that everything is documented and any of the questions that some of the residents feel have not been answered are going to be fully answered."

One of the buildings will be designed for students and young people, while the other will target seniors and retirement living.

Mayor Birtch says a new application will come forward within a month.