With the David Secord House now severed from the rest of the land at 46 Paxton Ln., thanks to plans coming down the pike to rescue the derelict historic home, a developer is asking to tweak its plans to build 29 housing units on the remaining open land.
The development calls for 12 single-detached houses and four townhouse blocks made up of 17 townhouse units. The Ontario Land Tribunal, at the time the Ontario Municipal Board, approved the original proposal for this site in August 2013.
The registered owner, 2233497 Ontario Limited, based in Toronto, held an open house on Monday regarding its request to exclude the land on which the David Secord House sits from its approved draft plan.
The committee of adjustment voted in September to sever the house from the rest of 46 Paxton Ln.
Rainer Hummel, founder of Hummel Properties Inc., is undertaking a $1.2-million to $1.4-million restoration of the David Secord House, a more than 200-year-old heritage property, currently in serious disrepair.
Resident Libby Bullock questioned the project’s impact on the existing stormwater system.
“Is there any plans for these homes to use the existing stormwater management pond?” she asked.
Jennifer Vida of Vida Consulting, representing the developer, said the pond will be used and that it was “sized” to handle this development. She said the original design dated back to 2010.
Bullock said there are already problems with the system and called for a new study.
“The pond has turned into a lake with the last two storms,” she said. “I think it will have the same problem the St. Davids pond is experiencing with overuse. It fills up pretty fast.”
She referred to Sandalwood Pond in St. Davids, which the town acknowledged earlier this month needs upgrades to manage stormwater properly.
Bullock also expressed concern about a “very old, large” maple tree on the property.
“There’s hardly any trees on the property,” she said. “It’s pretty level. But that one tree would be a shame to lose.”
Vida said the project’s engineering has already been approved. While the tree may have to be removed, she said, efforts will be made to preserve it.
There were worries raised by multiple residents about road design and emergency access to the development.
Vida said that entrances and emergency access on Paxton Lane will remain the same, except access to the David Secord House, which will come from the north end of Paxton Lane rather than through the development area.
An archaeological dig is underway on the site, and Vida said there are “no changes” planned for the nearby St. Davids Golf Course.
She estimated construction on the subdivision would not begin for “at least another year” and said restoration of the David Secord House is expected to start as soon as possible.
daniel@niagaranow.com
