The Ontario Land Tribunal has given the go-ahead for a significant development in Perth, which will increase the town’s population and take away part of one of Canada’s oldest golf courses.
Caivan, an Ottawa-based company, initially requested a change to a zoning bylaw from the town council in 2023, but the town missed a deadline set by the Planning Act.
This allowed the developer to bring their case before the tribunal.
Some residents have raised worries that this project could lead to more traffic, strain local services, and negatively impact the environment.
The tribunal determined that the updated plans addressed residents’ concerns and comply with both local and provincial laws.
The approval was announced on Tuesday.
Longtime resident Richard Schooley supports adding more housing in Perth but is concerned about how big and intense this development will be.
“I think we move on and try to be as positive as we can about enabling this to happen, while also being aware and having the resources to respond to the concerns of the community.”
Longtime Perth resident Richard Schooley, who has put his name forward for deputy mayor in the current election, is optimistic about the development but concerned about its size and intensity. (Patrick Louiseize/CBC)
More homes planned
Caivan has now cleared a major hurdle to create a subdivision featuring 1,061 homes on the Perth Golf Course, along with around two hectares of parkland, some neighborhood commercial spaces, and infrastructure for transportation and stormwater management.
This plan includes roughly one hundred additional units compared to their initial proposal; it will offer single-detached homes, townhouses, and an affordable housing section designed for around 2,400 people. As Caivan mentioned Thursday, this should help alleviate local housing shortages.
As of 2021, Perth had about 6,500 residents.
“The community will include a range of homes so first-time buyers, young families, and long-time residents can find a place that fits their lives now and as those needs change,” said a statement from Caivan Thursday sent in response to an interview request.
The owners of the course – which opened in 1890 – sold their land to Caivan; they plan to split the 18-hole course in half while keeping nine holes open for play and preserving its heritage value.
Work ahead
According to Mayor Judy Brown of Perth, there are 113 conditions that need approval before Caivan can begin construction.
As part of this agreement, no more than 200 homes can be built until upgrades are made to Peter Street’s bridge over Tay River; this bridge connects the golf course with other parts of town.
No future phases can kick off until there’s another river crossing established along with confirmation that there’s enough water supply available for everyone. </pp
“People think that Caivan is a rapacious developer and they’re going to do whatever they want, but they have to follow all of the laws and regulations of the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority,” she said.</pp
The conservation agency must approve any adjustments related to floodplain issues before any building begins.</ppPerth Mayor Judy Brown says that more housing will bring increased business activity downtown while generating additional tax income for the town. (Patrick Louiseize/CBC)<pp Despite some worries from locals, Brown believes new houses will leadto year-round foot trafficfor businesses downtownand provide more tax revenueforthe town.<pp “We've reached a point where mostofour infrastructure was constructed60 years agoandthere'sacosttomaintainitorreplaceit,”said Brownwhoisnotrunningforre-electionasmayornextmonth.
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