A townhouse development in Petrolia is one step closer to reality, despite the concerns of the neighbours. And there will be more housing units than originally planned.
Peter Bakker of Bakker Design and Build based in Watford originally asked for 66 large townhouses on a 10-acre plot in a field in the area of Third, Fourth and Kentail Streets. But neighbours in the single family neighbourhood voiced concerns about the poor drainage in the area and a “wall of townhouses” in their backyard. Council turned down the original proposal in June.
Bakker, who has owned the property for three-and-half years, understands the neighbours concerns. He has been working with the town as it tries to deal with the water problems in the area. The town has begun the process of improving the streets in the area this summer after a consultant created a stormwater management plan. “We’ve helped out with that design process, to try to incorporate everything.”
July 7, the town held a zoning hearing where residents were surprised by a statement from the mayor and clerk instructing them they were not able to talk about drainage issues during the hearing, but could ask questions about the new plan on the table.
It includes 17 townhouses with 76 units, eight semi-detached dwellings and two single family homes.
Allison Mevis – one of the residents concerned about the development – voiced concern they weren’t able to speak about the concerns about water in the area, since that is one of the main issues. Mevis also pointed out that while the community is considered low density now, with the revised plan the development would be considered medium density.
Mevis pleaded with council to delay the decision. “I know this is going to pass…we just want information first,” she said.
Resident Cristie Archibald was also concerned councillors didn’t want to talk about the historic drainage issues in the area.

Archibald says the town “keeps shutting down the drainage conversation” saying its not part of the rezoning for the development even though “this conversation is not a new conversation; it’s a very old conversation.”
Archibald says this developer would be allowed “to build new homes on top of the field, that still drains into the backyards.”
Both Bakker and town officials have said before any construction began the drainage problems would have to be solved.
Bakker adds both the town and government bodies like the Ministry of the Environment and the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority have to be satisfied there was a plan to deal with the water on the site.
Councillors, before approving the zoning which will move the development ahead, assured residents they “had been heard.”
Clerk Mandi Pearson added there will be another public meeting in the future after the developer submits a plan of subdivision.
Bakker hoped to move the project forward this summer. The original plan was valued at about $33 million.