Walkerton is growing.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Municipality of Brockton announced it has approval from the province to re-zone the East Ridge Business Park, allowing the construction of 500 housing units.
Brockton applied for a special Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) earlier this year to convert five vacant parcels of land for residential use.
"The provincial policy statement prohibited us from changing those lands to residential unless we did a justification study which … would involve hiring expensive outside consultants," Brockton Mayor Chris Peabody explained.
A statement from the municipality suggested that process could've taken years.
Peabody said of the 500 planned housing units, the majority are medium density and will be rentals. Only 13 single detached homes are planned.
"That's really going to fulfill a need," explained Peabody. "We're finding a lot of our small scale manufacturers in town here are having trouble finding rental accommodation for their workers."
The lands were purchased from a local farm family. Mayor Chris Peabody said there are four developments that are part of the MZO.
"We have a company out of Hamilton building a retirement residence. A five storey retirement home as well as townhomes for seniors," said Peabody. "We have Brad Wilson Construction of Mount Forest. They're going to start right away and build a four storey apartment building with 70 rentals."
Barry's Construction is building town homes and the Saugeen Hospice is applying to build a residential hospice in the newly expanded area.
“I am very happy to see the MZO approved, and appreciate the provincial government’s attention to this matter, which will help increase our housing stock, and ultimately, the number of more affordable homes here,” Peabody said. . “This is good news for the entire community, and something our developers, employers, young families and seniors have been wanting for a long time. We are committed to responsible growth.”
Brockton will spend $6-million dollars servicing the area with roads, water and sewer, hydro, gas, and high-speed internet. Peabody said that money will be recovered from developers.
All the parcels of land are sold or conditionally sold.
