This spring could see 40 new homes spring up in Windle Village, with Hodgkins Ave. extended to Allanburg Road.
The single-detached dwellings would be built on Hodgkins Ave., adjacent to the current dead end containing vacant lands.
The city’s intermediate planner Paul Klassen presented the proposal at last week’s council meeting, and said that comments received from the public thus far include issues with extending the street, environmental concerns—since the area is identified as a tree preservation area—as well as current problems with flooding, sewer capacity, and rodents.
Hodgkins Ave. resident Lacey Giroux told council, “We continuously have flooding issues,” in addition to sewer backups “with the current situation, so I believe 40 new residences is not going to help. The roads have been dug up 10 times since I’ve been there.”
“Every time it rains,” she added that neighbouring homeowners on Windle Village Crescent are deluged with water as well.
“I’m sure staff is listening,” said Coun. Anthony Longo, “and will address those issues.”
When two other residents spoke about the need for better drainage on Lynn Crescent, which runs parallel to Hodgkins Ave., Public Works director Geoff Holman said the city is currently undergoing its capital forecast, and will review the Windle Village area with engineering staff.
“Road conditions are evaluated on an annual basis,” he stated. “We will have a look at these roads. Hodgkins has been patched a number of times and is probably due for resurfacing.”
Speaking as an agent for the owners, consultant Al Heywood of J.T. Barnes Ltd. Land Surveyors outlined rezoning setbacks, from 7.5 to to 6.5 metres in rear yards and from 6 to 4.5 metres for front yard setbacks. Heywood added that all the residents’ concerns “will be addressed in the planning stage.”
In response to Coun. Ken Sentance’s enquiry about the project’s timeline, Michael Colosimo of Capital Contracting Group replied that they’re “Looking to start as soon as possible,” and “could have this ready for May.”
