by Greg Layson
Big things are coming to Essex Centre. A lot of them.
Town of Essex’s Director of Development Services, Lori Chadwick, presented her Annual Development Update to Council on Monday, highlighting some very large plans for the downtown.
While the report updated Councillors on all planned development, Chadwick chose to shine the spotlight on some of the most ambitious.
One of the most notable projects is one that includes a grocery store and high-density residential housing, consisting of a combination of 200-300 multi-dwelling units and townhomes, directly across from Essex District High School on Talbot Street.
Chadwick said the Town is asking the developer to undertake an open house to better inform the public of the plans, which are still in their early stages.
“Stay tuned for more information on the Sobey’s residential plans,” Chadwick told Council.
But Councillor Joe Garon, who said “growth is inevitable,” has some concerns about traffic flow in the area.
“It all looks and sounds great, but with our current road makeup and intersections … I’m not sure what we’re going to be doing with traffic on that end of our town,” Garon said.
Chadwick said the issue is being addressed.
“Planners need to look at that very thing,” she said. “How do you propose to move people in and out?”
Director of Infrastructure, Kevin Girard, said the developer has to provide a traffic impact study. He also said staff has been keeping a keen eye on the development from a traffic perspective.
“We have factored this property into the design Council approved for the intersection of Maidstone [Avenue] and Talbot [Street],” Girard said.
Another big proposal is a hotel next to McDonald’s on Maidstone Avenue.
Chadwick said the Town completed a feasibility study several years ago and that a developer has completed a follow-up one.
“A hotel will be viable at this location,” Chadwick said. “A concept plan is being prepared for circulation in advance for a site plan application.
“Although we can’t share at this point what this looks like, the developer is moving forward and proceeding with a hotel and is actually in conversations with various hoteliers for a hotel brand.”
The last large proposed project is the redevelopment of the former Home Hardware land on Wilson Street.
The developer, a few weeks ago, hosted an open house to showcase proposed redevelopment, which will include a high-density residential development of 200 units.
Chadwick said the developer still needs to submit a few studies before the application can be deemed complete.
“You will not see that proverbial shovel in the ground in the near future,” she said.
Chadwick highlighted some plans in Harrow and Colchester, too.
The request for proposal on the redevelopment of Harrow District High School closes March 31. There must be a minimum of 109 dwelling units, 20 percent of which should be affordable housing.
“We look forward to seeing the proposals,” Chadwick said.
She also provided an update on the controversial Colchester Bay project.
“The developer is going back to the drawing table. We have not seen a revised concept plan,” she said. “We’ll keep the lines of communication open with members of the public.”