Development options under consideration for Layton Property in Mount Elgin

Debbie Kasman, Tillsonburg Post Correspondent

The Housing Opportunities Committee of South-West Oxford Township met with Kirby Heckford and Dominic Bradley of Tillsonburg Developments and Daniel Segal of Segal Construction in February to discuss affordable housing solutions on the Layton Property west of Highway 19 in Mount Elgin.

Two development options are under consideration: a townhouse concept with five two-story buildings of five units each and a tiny home community of less than 650 square feet per home.

Ownership is preferred by the township rather than rentals. The township also wants to see small footprint residential development.

The township and county are supportive in-principle of developing an alternative zoning framework for small footprint development on the property.

If the unit/home sale price is under $406,000, the developer may enter into an agreement with Oxford County to exempt development charges if it remains affordable for a 25-year period.

It is not yet known if there is capacity for this development in the current wastewater system.

Any proposals will require a zoning amendment, along with public notice and circulation, prior to any public meeting before Council.

A discussion also took place regarding the growth in Mount Elgin. It was noted that the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) does not want direct access onto Highway 19, which is challenging for commercial businesses.