A future link from Haist Street North to nature trails on the Lathrop Property will not go through a proposed private townhouse complex.
The developer, Lucchetta Homes, will also delay building two units to protect a rare American Chestnut tree, which falls under the Endangered Species Act.
At a public meeting last week, planning director Terrance Glover outlined to town council a proposed 36-unit townhouse development called Davis Heights on the former site of Davis Hall.
Various plans for the site go back to 2003, he said.
A public meeting in November saw limited attendance because of power failure in the town.
At last week’s meeting, Glover presented the proposal and draft plan to the public and councillors.
The planner will review the plan and public comments. He will make recommendations at a future council meeting.
Developer Lucchetta Homes seeks rezoning to Residential Multiple 1 to put in 36 upscale bungalow-style townhouses in three-and- four-unit blocks.
It will leave an area in the northern part of the property as Open Space because it falls within the Niagara Escarpment Commission control area.
Davis Heights will be on the east side of Haist Street north of Regional Road 20. It will back onto homes on Peachtree Park and Hillcrest Place to the south and wrap around an estate.
The future condominium owners will own the roads and services within the complex.
Jennifer Vida, speaking for the developer, said it will not recommend an access through the property to the Lathrop lands, owner by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
She said the developer did not want to impose liability responsibilities for an access on the future condominium owners.
Bea Clark of the Pelham Active Transportation Committee, in a letter, asked for continuation of current access from Haist Street to the Lathrop trail system. It links to the John Nemy trail system and Marlene Stewart Streit Park.
She said a trail access would enhance the quality of life for an increasing number of residents in new housing developments along Haist Street.
It would give maintenance and paramedic crews a way to reach the Lathrop area. And with more people using the trails, it would curtail inappropriate use, she said.
Clark suggested the town consider an easement through or beside the property for an access.
To protect the rare American Chestnut tree, developer Rob Lucchetta told council there is a chestnut savings plan with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority. It will include plantings of new trees.
While some of the townhouses will back onto Haist Street, he said they will look like fronts.
The entrance way to the complex will have “unique stone features” reflecting a European style.
Lucchetta said it has been a long 15 years since the company bought the site in 2000.
“We are excited about this,” he said. “We we want to capture an old European village style with archways and stone. We want to create Pelham’s finest address.”
