On May 22, Ritchot’s council gave second and final reading to an amendment to the Grande Pointe Secondary Plan, which considers the overall development of the community. The amendment would allow for the inclusion of compact rural residential development in a portion of Grande Pointe.
A representative of North Grassie Properties was present to appeal to council regarding the proposed initiative.
“The objective of this is to change a… location within the area of Grande Pointe to allow for a bungalow condominium development adjacent to the Grande Pointe industrial development as a buffer between the commercial use and residential use to the south in Grande Pointe Meadows,” she said. “The amendment is the first step in the development of a condominium… which would bring 102 units to the development which is an increase from the 25 single-family homes.”
The representative added that a Grande Pointe community information meeting had been held and surveys went out to all residents. About 20 people attended the meeting and eight surveys were returned to the developer. Survey results indicated either strong support or a neutral position on the matter. The same number were strongly supportive or neutral on the introduction of a seniors-focused development.
“The objective is to have some age-in-place and variety of housing for the Grande Pointe Meadows area,” she added.
Paul Warkentin of the neighbouring commercial development area spoke in favour of the proposal, suggesting that the idea is a smart one, providing different needs for a different market.
Norm Boyle, also of North Grassie Properties, approached council to back the project. He felt that a project like this would allow aging seniors to stay in the community longer while younger families move in and buy the larger lot homes, creating a regenerative effect in the community.
One Grande Pointe resident was in attendance to oppose the project, citing that the community is not the right location for seniors who need to be located nearer to amenities such as grocery stores and a doctor’s office.
Two emails were received, also opposing the project, since it contradicts the original large-lot model of the area.
“Time and time again, we as residents of Grande Pointe have expressed that we are a community with country living and are not in favour of city-sized lots,” said one resident. “We have been promised by multiple sources… that the residential lots being built in Grande Pointe will be large but there always seems to be a push to make them smaller or bring in multi-family properties which I and many other people in the community are against… It would be a slippery slope for other areas in Grande Pointe trying to push higher density and the only reason would be a money grab.”
Councillor Boulanger, a resident of Grande Pointe, says that she’s had discussions with many residents of the area and found that most seem to be in favour of the proposal. One concern that they do share is the question of how higher-density housing will affect traffic levels in the community.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the proposal to amend the Grande Pointe Secondary Plan.
