Prince Edward County has approved a proposed redevelopment to build affordable housing at the former Queen Elizabeth School property in Picton.
The plan was discussed during a special council meeting on Monday evening. The motion called for council to enter into a purchase and sale agreement with New View Holdings, for them to take over the property and develop it. The agreement to sell the property to New View Holdings includes requirements for them to hold continued public consultations on the development process, along with a provision to waive property taxes for the affordable units.
The current draft site plan proposes a series of four apartment buildings, with a combined total of 198 units. Half of the units are being reserved for affordable housing. One of the buildings will also include a social services hub. The four buildings range from three to four storeys tall.
More than 30 area residents took the time to speak at the meeting, either through deputations or public comment. The sentiment among the public was fairly split with about half advocating for the development, and the other half opposing the current plans.
The opposition came from a group of local residents in the area surrounding the former school property. Chief among their concerns was the density of the project, which many claimed was too great for the surrounding community, and the large apartment buildings would clash with the surrounding community that comprises mostly single-family homes. Another common concern was increased traffic making the area’s roads less safe.
None of the residents said they were against affordable housing, only the scale of the current proposal.
Other residents came forward in support of the project, sharing personal stories of difficulty in securing housing, being forced to relocate outside Prince Edward County to secure a home they could afford, and struggling to pay rent while also feeding their children. The supporters commonly pointed out that the housing shortage is already hurting people in the community, and urged council to get the project moving again.
After the public comments, council received a report from municipal staff to clarify some details of the agreement. Due to being unable to secure public funding for the project, the municipality is entering into a Public Private Partnership with the developer. The developer agrees to get any needed planning permissions, construct the new buildings, and then operate them at their own cost.
After approval tonight, the development will still have to go through the regular municipal planing process. Under the agreement, building permits need to be acquired within 48 months of receiving planning approval. The development is expected to cost over $100 million to complete.
The proposal, and public comments, prompted vigorous debate within the council chambers. Councillor Chris Braney was against continuing with the current plan. He said that development on the property should better fit the fabric of the existing community.
“I just can’t support the density and the scale that it’s at,” said Councillor Braney. “I understand the passion about the affordable component. I’m not disputing that at all. It’s just the scale.”
Councillor Bill Roberts was in favour of moving ahead with the plan. He pointed out that many groups throughout the county continue to advocate for increasing the number of available rental units.
“Only 18.4% of Prince Edward County households rent,” said Councillor Roberts. “Far below the 31.4% provincial average, not because of a lack of demand, but because rental options simply don’t exist for those folks.”
Councillor Kate MacNaughton supported the current planned density.
“I’ve heard an awful lot about the need for housing and how it impacts people’s lives,” said Councillor MacNaughton. “Six years of talking about it, and now we’re doing something about it.”
After several deputants and public comments requested the process be paused, Councillor Brad Nieman put forward a motion to defer the approval. He proposed holding the matter until May, in order to allow for more public engagement before any approvals move forward.
“You have that before you make the deal, so everybody understands what the deal is,” said Councillor Nieman. “Once the deal is signed, what’s to say that if I go and say something, it doesn’t fall on deaf ears.”
The motion to defer was defeated. Council later voted to approve the plan as presented.
