Residents concerned over proposed 71-unit West River Road development

This is an aerial view of 73 West River Rd where a 71-unit development is being proposed by Pinevest Homes. The proposed development is among a large area of land current underdevelopment – the Grand Estates – located on the former Paris Grand Golf Course property. Some area residents are concerned with the removal the property’s surrounding woodlot of black walnut, red oak and basswood trees designated as part of Brant’s Natural Heritage System.

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

A proposed 71-unit townhouse development on West River Road sparked significant concern from some residents during a County of Brant Council Planning meeting held July 8.

The development, proposed by Pinevest Homes through MHBC Planning on behalf of West River Developments Inc., would rezone the vacant property at 73 West River Road from R1-58 to a site-specific RM1 zone. The plan also includes a public park zoned OS1, a new private street network, and visitor parking.

The lands, occupied by a dwelling and former accessory structure demolished in November 2024, are located on an arterial road designated for a mix of low to high-density developments. Permitted uses include single, semi-detached and rowhouse dwellings. The rezoning would allow for increased driveway widths and greater lot coverage. Future Site Plan Control and Draft Plan of Condominium applications are still required.

MHBC Planning advised that several technical studies have been completed in support of the application, including environmental, archaeological, transportation, and stormwater management reports, along with a planning justification report and tree preservation plan.

During the public meeting, resident Laura Ruuska-MacKay of 81 West River Road spoke on behalf of concerned neighbours. She raised serious environmental concerns related to the development, particularly the impact on a woodlot located on the property.

Ruuska-MacKay said the black walnut, red oak and basswood trees in the woodlot were planted in 1994 with assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources, under an agreement that the area would remain untouched — including the underbrush.

She claimed that in March 2023, prior to the developer’s environmental impact study, logging crews entered the site early in the morning and cleared part of the woodlot. “It was basically an ecological disaster,” Ruuska-MacKay said. “I wondered how they could do this knowing the forest is part of Brant’s Natural Heritage System.”

She added that the cleared vegetation may have compromised the study’s findings, stating that “baseline conditions must reflect the undisturbed site so that the study can accurately measure the ecology of the area.”

Ruuska-MacKay urged council not to approve any aspect of the plan that would alter or encroach on the woodland and demanded the natural heritage and significant woodland designations remain in place.

Ruuska-MacKay also had concerns with the proposed number of lots for the small parcel of land, citing it will bring problems with traffic, infrastructure, overpopulated schools and population increases in general. “There has been/will be quite a population influx with the development of the golf course and that is enough,” she stated in correspondence provided ahead of the council meeting, adding “At some point, I believe it's in our community's best interest to stop and look at how the major growth in population is affecting local residents.”

Fellow resident Nicole Promolo, of Bendemere Road (formerly Paris Links Rd), also voiced frustration, referencing the nearby Grand Estates development. She said she is currently living through the disruption of that project and cautioned council about approving further growth without adequate planning.

They came back with 749 homes after the original 800-home plan was deemed too much, she said. Now another 71 are being proposed. We have already approved more than enough development to meet growth requirements for the next couple of decades, she noted.

Promolo called on council to “tap the brakes” on new development approvals until issues related to infrastructure and school capacity are addressed.

Coun. Steve Howes reflected on the property’s history, noting that the original owner had once proposed just six dwellings on the site. That request evolved over time into a plan for 200 homes before being scaled back to the current proposal.

Coun. John Peirce acknowledged community concerns about school overcrowding but clarified that municipalities do not control school construction. He asked Ruuska-MacKay whether she opposed the entire development or just components affecting the woodlot. Ruuska-MacKay responded that her opposition was directed at any elements that would impact the woodland or change its designation.

Coun. David Miller echoed Promolo’s concerns about wastewater capacity. Jeremy Vink, Director of Planning and Development for the County of Brant responded that upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant are planned, and while current infrastructure is nearing capacity, it can still accommodate some additional growth.

Coun. John Bell questioned the logic of accepting a development proposal that would encroach on the County’s Natural Heritage System. Vink clarified that this was only a public meeting, and no formal staff recommendations have been brought forward to council.Council received all public and developer submissions as information. The comments will be reviewed by County staff before any decisions are made.