Written By Jan Sims
KILWORTH - A proposed development on Glendon Dr. in Kilworth would require a wooded area to be rezoned for housing.
It’s early days yet, and the application went to Middlesex Centre council for information only at its December 17th meeting.
Plans call for the site to be developed to accommodate 49 townhouses on a 3.3 acre, or 1.3-hectare parcel of land fronting Glendon Dr. and west of Elmhurst Street.
A report to council from the planning department notes the land currently contains a single detached dwelling and that: “The Middlesex Natural Heritage Systems Study considers a majority of the property as part of the Natural Heritage System and containing Significant Woodland.”
An application has been made for an amendment to the Official Plan that would redesignate the property from ‘Residential’ and ‘Natural Environment’ to ‘Medium Density Residential’.
A report on behalf of the developer notes the lands abut existing residential uses to the west and south of the property, and there are commercial uses to the west at Glendon Dr. and Kilworth Park Dr. It also cites a study relating to woodlands, finding this area doesn’t “meet the threshold of significance.”
The proposal has drawn objections from several nearby residents. In one letter to council, a homeowner living beside the parcel of land wrote: “The subject property itself is a wooded lot containing old-growth trees, mature vegetation and natural groundcover that contribute to the local biodiversity and act as an extension of the nearby natural heritage system.”
A staff report to council summarizes public objections on several fronts. As well as environmental sensitivity, there are concerns about increased traffic and that the size of the development being too high.
When the issue came to council at its December 17th meeting, councillor Sue Cates, who represents the area said; “We in our area are gifted with so much nature surrounding us.”
