West Nipissing council is working to help Casa Developments move forward on developing 48 lots in Springer Township.
Paul Goodridge of Goodridge Goulet Planning and Surveying says his client would like to have an agreement in place with the municipality by the end of the year so the lots can be sold and construction begins in the New Year.
Goodridge says he and Casa need direction from council on five points before the agreement can be signed.
One of those points is whether Casa gives a percentage of the land to the municipality so it can be converted into parkland.
The alternative is cash in lieu of transferring the land.
Goodridge says if council opts for the parkland then a decision has to be made on the nature of the parkland.
He says, for example, is it land that’s used for passive recreational trails.
A second point Goodridge raised with council is whether the subdivision is equipped with sidewalks.
Although the original conceptual drawings showed sidewalks, the nature of the project changed resulting in dropping the sidewalks.
Goodridge says what is now being suggested is to create wider shoulders that are paved.
He adds this does not make the streets narrower.
Goodridge says they will still be 66 feet wide which is the standard municipal size.
Goodridge also told council if Casa built sidewalks they would lead nowhere because there are no sidewalks on the nearby connecting streets.
Goodridge said a third point where Casa has run into problems is trying to get cost estimates for services from Hydro One.
He says he’s been trying to get these numbers from Hydro One since May but to no avail resulting in delays.
The fourth and fifth points involve the developer bringing in his own inspector to sign off on the work and determining a dollar amount with the security deposit now with the municipality.
Council is mulling over all the information it received and is expected to discuss the subdivision proposal at the December 3rd council meeting.