Annandale-area residents frown on development idea

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Area residents were against a proposal to move the Concession Street East baseball diamonds to a new town property on Mall Road, and build a residential development where the diamonds were to fund the new sports fields.

A public information session was held on July 23 to share plans for the area, commonly referred to as the Annandale diamonds, and explain the concept for the new sports facility on Mall Road. This was the first of three meetings, with others planned for Aug. 13 and Sept. 8. During an emotion-charged meeting, opposition was centered on the new development proposal, not the new diamonds being built.

About 30 people crowded into the room to hear Tillsonburg Development Director Cephas Panschow explain the proposal. Called Project Big Swing, it will involve building four new baseball diamonds on a town-owned piece of property in Norfolk County behind the cemetery. While the current proposal is building the four lit diamonds, there is future potential to create more soccer or baseball fields and expand the cemetery.

With the baseball diamonds moved, the plan is to build a residential development in the space that includes walking trails and a high percentage of green space. The development would be a mix of apartment and townhouse-type units.

The first question from the audience was about the timing of the development, which Panschow said would be a few years down the road.

Mike Bossy questioned the original donation of the land for the baseball diamonds from the original subdivision developers.

Panschow said the parkland dedication was part of the development requirement.

“In this case, we would be looking to change it from passive park use to active development,” he said.

Bossy said the founders would be upset with this as they donated more parkland than was required. He suggested the developers should be repaid for the 12 acres, which was met with audience applause.

Bossy pushed the point of how this could be done when the Thomas and Demeyere families donated the land.

“There’s what the legislation says, and what good will’s intent says,” he added. “You broke the good will intent.”

Panschow answered that this conversation should be taking place with the families.

Another resident questioned why area residents weren’t informed of the development.

Panschow explained once the planning process is complete, letters will go out. The input sessions are being done before the planning process to gain public input. He said council can decide to separate the sports field development from the residential development, based on input.

“Most of the time you hear about a project, it’s after applications have been made – this is before,” Panschow added.

Asked to clarify further, he said there have been no talks with potential developers, nor any offers. Panschow said some developers contacted his office after the plan became public, and they were told it “may be available in the future”.

One mother spoke for the sports complex, saying the town should be enhancing recreation facilities as it grows. Her concern was the new diamonds would have adequate parking.

Another resident questioned the concept of replacing the diamonds and, after hearing that using lighting would extend playing time, asked why not just light the current diamonds.

Panschow said with the current diamond design, it’s not as efficient to light the diamonds as it would be with the new design. He also explained that having the new diamonds closer to the cemetery would spread staff out less.

A couple of residents raised concerns about spending $4 million without consulting the taxpayers first. Although a detailed answer wasn’t provided, municipalities often complete large land purchases without making it public to allow negotiating the lowest price.

Interviewed later, Panschow noted all the representation was from residents, and no one was present from the sports user groups.

“That’s why we’re doing three,” he said. “We recognize it’s tough to do consultations through the summer. If we need to do another one, we’ll do another.”

Interviewed after the meeting, councillors in attendance said it’s important to listen to residents.

“As an elected official, my responsibility is not only to listen to residents, but to represent them,” said Mayor Deb Gilvesy. “That is why we have a public consultation process. It gives people the opportunity to share their views before decisions are made. My job is to bring those concerns to the council table and respect what our taxpayers are telling us.

“I also believe we must protect our parkland. Once green space is lost, it cannot be replaced. Parks are essential community assets that serve families, children, and residents of all ages while promoting active living.”

Deputy Mayor Dave Beres suggested revisiting the entire project.

“After the presentation, there didn't appear to be any objections to the new sports field development; however, the neighbours for the Concession Street piece brought forward some major concerns,” he said.

“I think transparency and engagement are crucial when we are looking at bigger projects,” said Coun. Kelly Spencer. “It’s important to hear from neighbouring residents, as well as affected user groups like women's slo-pitch, men’s slo-pitch, soccer groups and the community as a whole. Hearing from the citizens is an imperative piece to engagement and wholesome decision-making.”

Coun. Chris Rosehart noted citizens were asking good questions.

“The people are happy with what they have there now, and they like the green space,” she said. “We need to preserve as much green space as possible as we are growing, and show people we care, and we’re not just put up buildings and covering everything with asphalt.”

Coun. Chris Parker, who couldn’t make the meeting due to prior commitments, is also the president of the Tillsonburg Men’s Slo-Pitch League. He suggested separating consultation on the residential development from the sports complex.

“These are two distinct matters with different implications for the community, and combining them has made it difficult for residents to provide clear, focused feedback,” he said.

As president of the slo-pitch league, Parker noted the league had to reduce its schedule as it is now operating at, or above, capacity, and its diamond times have been reduced.

“A new four plex of lit diamonds would immediately transform local baseball capacity,” he said. “For the men’s league alone, it could create 12 time slots in one centralized location, making scheduling, umpire coordination, and league management significantly more efficient.”

He also saw potential for the town to host higher-profile tournaments, which would bring people to town.

Both the mayor and deputy mayor noted council may need to look at other funding mechanisms for the sports complex outside of residential development on the Annandale diamonds land.