Developers planning to create a new community in Orillia see the project as an investment in the city’s future.
Charter Construction/Mark Rich Homes is behind the development, called the West Ridge Trailside Community. The ambitious project includes 1,300 new residential units, two sites for future schools, a small commercial area, and a neighbourhood park and trail system.
The property also includes 41 hectares of environmentally protected land, including a woodlot and the Bass Lake Wetland.
“If Orillia needs to provide additional housing, this is absolutely necessary,” said Henry Glavic, director of development with Charter Construction/Mark Rich Homes.
The city does, in fact, have to accommodate more housing and jobs, as required by the province, to meet growth targets over the next few decades.
“You have to hit that target. You can’t go under it,” Glavic said.
To move the West Ridge Trailside Community project along, the developers are seeking an Official Plan amendment, a zoning bylaw amendment and draft plan of subdivision for 735, 825, 875 and 925 Line 15 N.
The properties in question are designated living area-neighbourhood greenfield and environment and open space in the city’s Official Plan. Under the zoning bylaw, they are zoned rural (holding 12), rural (holding 13) and open space one.
Jeff Duggan, a senior planner with the city, said the amendments being requested would allow for different types of dwellings.
Of the 1,300 residential units, 39 per cent would be single detached dwellings, seven per cent would be semi-detached dwellings and six per cent would be freehold street townhouses.
The rest of the development would include four medium-density blocks to accommodate townhouse or apartment units (29 per cent) and one high-density block for apartment units (19 per cent).
Two plots of land on Stone Ridge Boulevard have been set aside for future schools. The Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board have both indicated schools will likely be needed.
“It’s possible that schools never get developed, but the option is there,” Glavic said, adding if the schools are not needed, the land can be used for something else.
He said the park and trail system are important parts of the project. They will provide more passive recreation opportunities, as the city already has facilities such as the West Orillia Sports Complex and the Orillia Recreation Centre.
Some trails are already in place as part of the Stone Ridge subdivision and “they’re quite popular,” Glavic said.
“You see residents on them all the time.”
The West Ridge Trailside Community will border Stone Ridge, but it is a separate development. A stormwater facility is already in place for Stone Ridge and will be able to service the new development.
A relatively small area — between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet — has been set aside for commercial use. It would be “very community based,” Glavic said, noting it could include an operation such as a convenience store. A large retailer, like a big box store, is not in the plan.
“Already, that area is heavily over-served with commercial,” he said.
The West Ridge Trailside Community still has a long road ahead of it. It’s expected to be completed in seven phases. It’s typical to complete 100 to 150 units per phase, but it depends on the market.
“This is a very long-term planning process,” Glavic said.
He expects it will be at least a couple of years before any shovels get in the ground.
A statutory public meeting will take place, but a date has not yet been determined.
