By Angelica Ingram

Published Oct. 11 2016

Following months of public meetings the planning committee of Dysart et al council has approved a zoning change to allow a condo development to be built on Walling’s Road.

Earlier this year a zoning bylaw amendment application for the lands of Vuksic were submitted to the municipality with the intent to change the property from residential type 1 to urban residential type 3.

The zoning change has not sat well with area neighbours who made their feelings known at three public meetings held by the planning committee.

On Oct. 3 the committee once again looked at the file and heard what the public works directors for Dysart and the county thought about the project and potential impacts to the road.

Director of planning and development Patricia Martin said that the Dysart public works director said road improvements are required from the stop sign at the “split” to the eastern end of the subject lands.

“Proper signage is required” said Martin.

Security to ensure proper construction and for sidewalks if they are developed in the future is also required.

Martin said the county will accept the Wallings Way development however future development is to be re-directed preferably through a new road to Halbiem Crescent.

The county also requested the developer contribute to the cost of future road construction.

An updated site plan shows a privacy fence along the property line as well as a vegetation buffer.

Martin said since the last public meeting she has received comments from the public supporting the project saying it will be good for the economy.

Walling’s Road resident Alison Rae asked who was going to enforce the signage.

“We’ve had a lot of passersby this summer” she said.

Alison also reminded the committee that Walling’s Road was in rough shape and got beat up even more this past summer due to construction on the Head Lake bridge.

Mike Rae asked if the taxpayer would be covering the cost of the road if it was torn up by the developer.

Martin reiterated a security deposit is taken in the event this happens which can be used to repair roads.

As part of the application the municipality would also like an analysis from the developer’s planner of traffic generated from comparable developments.

Mike told the committee the village was becoming a “condo town.”

“You might as well change the name to Condoburton” he said.

Roberts said the housing was meeting a need in the community and that council has to follow the Official Plan.

“We can’t make emotional decisions” she said. “We have to follow the rules we set out.”

Those who live near the proposed development said you can’t not get emotional when the building is next to you.

The committee’s recommendation to approve the zoning change will now be considered by council at a future meeting.

According to Martin’s report to the committee the file will not be scheduled for review by council until all the requirements are satisfied.