Heather Wright
The Independent

Nancy Hind says a plan to put more houses is a “square peg going into a round hole.”
Hind, a First Avenue resident, was speaking during a proposed Official Plan amendment and rezoning application by an Ontario numbered company wanting to put more housing into the Glenview Subdivision.
The developers hope to build 46 more homes around the golf course.
In the last year, the developers had some of the land rezoned from open space to residential so the development could come together.
The first homes in Glenview Estates were built in the 1990s around the historic golf course.
The latest subdivision is tucked between holes 15, 16 and 17 and a pond which is the backyard of the homes fronting on First Street.
Another development of 92 homes is planned around hole 14.
Ray Dobbin, who is working with the company, says the big concern about these two developments is drainage.
He’s been working with the Ministry of the Environment on a plan which would ensure the water quality which will be heading into the existing pond in the area.
Dobbin says the developers are hopeful, with council’s approval, to begin construction in the area in 2022.
Petrolia Council held a public meeting Monday to talk about the proposed change to the official plan and the zoning. Planner Rob Nesbitt says the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority has some concerns about the development. He’s recommended the developer study the issues further before council makes a decision.
Hind, who lives on First St. was one of the people to speak against the idea of allowing more homes in an area she says has a lot of wildlife including deer, mink and frogs.
“Until you have actually walked this and lived in this area, you have no idea what is going on here…it is more valuable than a subdivision.”
Hind says many trees including red oak and hickory will have to be removed for roads.
“Council is not being pressured to develop this area at this time; an industry is not coming.” she added.
Walter Brand, who operates a historical oil field near by, is concerned about more development. “It is a historical fact that no oil producing property in our cradle of the oil industry, Victorian Oil Town, has survived residential encroachment,” he wrote in a letter to council.
He says the regulations for oil well setbacks from a home will not protect his operation- which has been in operation 150 years – from residential encroachment.
Council will review the issue at its Dec. 14 meeting.