The town council has turned down a plan for a 24-unit stacked townhouse project at 155 Wilson Ave.
May 05, 2026 • Last updated 4 hours ago •
Town council has turned down a plan for a 24-unit stacked townhouse development on Wilson Ave. Photo by Contributed
Tillsonburg town council has turned down a proposal for a 24-unit stacked townhouse development at 155 Wilson Avenue.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
With many residents present at the temporary council chambers in the Long Point Region Conservation Authority offices, council denied the proposal from owner Abe Hiebert and agent Zelinka Priamo Ltd., citing various concerns.
This marks the ninth attempt to develop this land since 1985.
The property is located on the north side of Wilson Ave. and the south side of Concession St. W in Tillsonburg. It’s near Hickory Hills, an established adult living community with over 700 residents.
Despite staff suggesting that council approve the project, many locals expressed concerns about everything from water supply issues to increased traffic, parking space availability, environmental impacts, garbage storage locations, and whether large emergency vehicles could navigate the driveway safely.
A report indicated that a traffic impact study found that development would “have a nominal impact on Wilson Avenue with approximately one additional vehicle every five to six minutes during the AM and PM peak hours.”
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
“This community already feels that there’s been traffic concerns on Wilson Ave. and that there will be an increase in volume, speed and noise pollution,” noted Councillor Kelly Spencer.
“Tillsonburg has been known as a wonderful retirement community… There have been publications of the town as one of the best places in the country to retire, and we need to protect that.”
‘We’ve all heard’:‘the expression; try to put a square peg in a round hole.’. That’s what’s going on,” said resident Claude Archambault who lives nearby. “It doesn’t fit; it won’t work.”
When longtime local business owner Gary Parent bought property adjacent to this land he expected it would be developed into single-family homes or low-density condos.
“That’s why we purchased it,” he said about his land ownership plans. “I haven’t developed yet; mine would be a one-level single-family home.”
Parent also shared his worries regarding “the noise pollution, light pollution and garbage smell.”
This has not loaded yet,, but your article continues below.
“Whether it be (rent) geared to income low-income or high-cost condo units building , it does not fit with neighborhood,” added speaker Harvey Fishback.
“The height of building will take away any privacy from surrounding neighbors along with traffic noise,” he continued.
“I’m sure neighborhood would not be opposed to single-family house or state home being built there.”
As part of her resolution Mayor Deb Gilvesy mentioned that proposal “does not have direct access to arterial or collector road as required by medium density development.
The (medium residential) zone represents much higher-density classification which does not provide appropriate transition from existing low-density designation and Town of Tillsonburg finds proposed zoning by-law amendment does not conform intent or spirit compatible development policies Oxford County Official Plan.”
“County of Oxford Public Works advised water servicing capacity within Town of Tillsonburg is limited,” resolution continued.
“And approval of this development would fully allocate Town’s drinking water system; Council acknowledges such allocation may constrain future industrial growth.”
“Moving much more intensive development next door single-family home may negatively affect community existing for over forty years,” Gilvesy said.
The motion passed unanimously.</
>
Source link
Source link
