Development at 155 Wilson back on the table

This map from a 2019 application to develop the property at 155 Wilson Avenue shows the property in question. An open house for the public to learn about a 24-unit townhouse is planned for the property on Nov. 5. (Contributed Image)

Jeff Helsdon, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An undeveloped Wilson Avenue property with a history of causing controversy appears to again be back in consideration for a townhouse complex.

Zelinka Priamo Ltd, a London-based land use planner, is hosting a community open house on Nov. 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Lion’s Den at the Tillsonburg Community Centre to provide information about the proposal at 155 Wilson Ave.

The proposal is for a 3.5-story stacked townhouse building with 24 units.

Notice about the meeting states Zelinka Priamo “is the land use planning firm retained by landowner”. There is no information as to who the landowner is at present.

Asked about the application, Mayor Deb Gilvesy said, “There’s nothing at this point council can do because there’s not an application in yet.”

The irregularly-shaped property backs on Concession Street West, although the primary access would be off of Wilson Avenue.

The same planner made an application in 2019 on behalf of Peter Retsinas of Tillsonburg Property Corporation for two two-story dwellings with 28 units.

Sources told The Post the 2019 application was turned down for a variety of concerns,

including access concerns by firetrucks and loss of backyard privacy from existing homeowners.

The report from 2019 outlined numerous applications dating back to 1985 to develop the property.