Urbanization of North Grenville

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submitted by Michael Whittaker

A number of people have voiced concerns regarding the urbanization of North Grenville, particularly surrounding Kemptville. The natural inclination of some is to place responsibility on the current council.  Development does not happen with such rapidity.

According to the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, in Ontario any type of planning application takes seven months or more, and can exceed 30 months for approval. Planning approvals include a combination of a municipal plan amendment, zoning by-law amendment, site plan approval, plan of subdivision and/or development permit.

Although the following projects had shovels in the ground within the last four years, approvals for them date to 2018 or earlier.

The approval process for the River Run development ran from Feb. 2013 to Sept. 2018. These one-acre lots are in proximity to Victoria Park Village off the west end of Concession Street. The Tempo development, north of Food Basics and west of the municipal centre, began in 2018.

Urbandale’s 27-acre development of 190 townhomes, two-storey singles, and bungalows between Kemptville Creek and Rideau River Road was announced in Jan. 2022. The Ottawa Citizen reported the project was launched in Nov. 2021.

Approval for the more than 160-acre Oxford Village project on the north side of County Road 43 was granted by a previous council. The request by the current council, now running for re-election, to preserve a greater portion of woodland and wetlands fell on deaf ears. Nonetheless, the developer claims online to have protected 50 acres of recreational and natural beauty.

Construction began there Oct. 12, 2021 on a well and water-treatment plant to be owned by the municipality.  Almost 400 new homes in the first phase will be served, and water supplied to the existing service for Kemptville.

This year, after consultation with residents and the development community, council approved the Development Design Guidelines. The document details how North Grenville wants to develop, provides consistency, and sets goals for mixed and affordable housing.

Information regarding developments in the municipality and the guidelines are available online or by contacting the North Grenville Planning and Development Department.

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