A proposed housing development for Cardiff came back to Highlands East council Nov 12 with Stephen Tunks of Teska Development suggesting a new location for two residential buildings.
Tunks has been in front of council before, saying, “this is the third time we’ve been asking about land to make a small apartment development in the Cardiff community.”
He said the parcel they are now proposing is just outside the village but, “it’ll do the job in terms of being able to finally build the building rather than having environmental problems.”
He said the first site had issues with sewage capacity, and the second was in a water protection zone.
Tunks said he understands a cell tower is to be built northeast of the land, which he hopes will allow a shared access road with Rogers. He said it would reduce costs.
His ask was that the land be declared surplus by the municipality – and that council instruct staff to review and enter into an agreement with Teska Development to sell them a portion so they can proceed with a project they’ve been talking about for a couple of years.
Coun. Angela Lewis asked if it was rentals, or ownership for seniors. Tunks said they prefer the term independent living.
“That’s what it is designed to do; this building is intended to be a condominium. It would be owned by investors. Some of those investors might be the people that live there.” He said when they originally floated the idea, half a dozen people in Cardiff indicated a willingness to sell their homes and move in. He said alternatives would be retirement homes in Bancroft. Peterborough or Belleville, “but no longer in their community or social circles.
“The idea would be to supply a housing unit… more than likely the last home they would be in before they would need to have assisted living.”
He said the homes are designed for that age group; such as doors wide enough for wheelchairs, roll-in and walk-in showers, grab bars and handles, so people can age in place.
They are looking at two buildings, likely phased, each with 27 units of two and one-bedrooms. He said they’ve redesigned, with one-bedroom units now having a den or office added and two-bedroom ones having a second bathroom.
“The building is designed to be inexpensive to build, inexpensive to buy and inexpensive to maintain.” He said it is a slab on grade, outdoor parking, with vinyl cladding. They hope to have solar panels on the roof. He added they want it to be a community-oriented building.
Coun. Cam McKenzie asked for an estimate of cost per unit. Tunks declined to divulge the information in public but said he could send council a pricing chart. He stressed that Teska Development is not a builder. They get projects ready for a builder. However, the builder likes Teska to get reservations to help fund the projects. He said the rates would be comparable to local market value.
Mayor Dave Burton asked about water and sewage. Tunks said they are working with Newterra of Brockville on communal servicing, as has been touted by the County of Frontenac. Deputy mayor Cec Ryall wondered if Tunks was thinking communal servicing would be privately-run or if the municipality would be involved. Tunks said they had budgeted in the event of not having municipal partnerships or funding. He further noted any system could also extend to a future phase-in of 30-40 small homes.
McKenzie said he was concerned the property could infringe on the source water protection area, and crosses over the old Monck Road, which is a heritage road used for recreational purposes “and we certainly don’t want to lose ownership of that.” Tunks said the map is an estimate only with no intention to encroach on either.
Council voted to receive the delegation and send the report to staff for review.
