As construction of new homes continues on the former Exolon property, a proposal for Phase 2 of the subdivision—known as Artisan Ridge—was presented at council this week by city planner Julie Hannah.
The draft plan includes 123 single detached dwellings and 40 street townhouse units located on 7.09 hectares, west of McLeary Drive.
Following Phase 2, an additional 102 single detached and 40 townhouses are being planned for Phase 3.
Steve Bedford, representing Marydel Homes developers, said, “A non-profit apartment site plan is underway,” which includes 60 units in a five-storey affordable housing building, working in conjunction with the Region.
Coun. Ken Sentance asked if affordable housing would be incorporated in the other phases as well.
“Not at the moment,” Bedford replied, though he didn’t rule it out of the realm of possibility.
Bedford also shared some facts about the new subdivision.
Artisan Ridge was purchased in 2006 and its current Phase 1 comprises 53 single detached dwellings and 50 townhouses.
“This has been a brownfield for many years,” he added, and prior to construction, groundwater and soil contamination had to be addressed on the property, where abrasives were once manufactured.
Developers also had to deal with decommissioning the rail line, and concerns were raised by Coun. Jim Handley about part of Phase 2 being built on abandoned Trillium Railway land.
“Did we not have a ‘Rails to Trails’ plan in place,” he asked, “from Lyndon St., through McCleary (Drive) to the Steve Bauer Trail in Pelham?”
According to city engineer Sean Dunsmore, “At one time, that was the game plan. The only difficulty is that it would push the trail over top of the old CN bridge,” he explained, which is a “six-million-dollar piece of infrastructure. A better solution is to go down Beaverdams Road and tie in with the Welland Canal Trail.”
Prompted by a question from Coun. John Kenny, Hannah explained that “The Beaverdams pumping station needs to be updated, and our understanding is that the project will be undertaken by the Niagara Region in the next year.”
Handley remarked that a recent project on Beaverdams Road included an “upgraded pumping station across from the (city’s) Public Works Building. They just spent a significant amount of money and did a substantial amount of work there.”
Dunsmore reassured council that the work was completed by Artisan Ridge developers, in cooperation with the Region.
“It’s not the city’s responsibility. Developers often come in with plans and then have to upgrade afterward,” he added.
