Developer Louis Bratanek is preparing to build the next phase of Countryview Estates in Petrolia. And a traffic study done in preparation says there should soon be left-hand turn lanes on Petrolia Line to accommodate the growing amount of traffic in the south end.

Bratanek’s 27-lot, phase nine of the subdivision in Petrolia’s southwest end was the subject of a public hearing Monday.

Lambton County Planner Trevor Benjamins says Elbee Investments plans to build the homes as an
extension of Countryview Drive.

The parcel of land is almost 17 acres, however the homes will sit on about eight acres since some of the land near Bear Creek is an Environmental Protection zone.

Benjamins says the land Elbee proposes to use is already zoned for single family homes.

There were some questions about the development. Dave and Shannon Ryan worried about a single access for traffic in the area; Benjamins said a traffic impact study was completed. It says the development won’t adversely impact traffic. Benjamins noted in the future the temporary cul-de-
sac would likely join to Englehart Drive providing another access.

And he said the traffic study, which was not available at the public meeting, says there should be dedicated left turn lanes on Petrolia Line at Maude and Oozloffsky Street “although not as a direct result of this development proposal.” Benjamins said that should come after the next phase of development of Countryview subdivision.

There is another phase of the subdivision in the planning stages. Elbee Investments has been working on a 74-lot phase of the subdivision in a woodlot on the west side of Countryview Drive. It has been stalled by legal wrangling.

At Monday’s public meeting, Tyler Wagner raised a number of concerns including the effect on
wildlife in the area which he says includes deer, coyotes and bald eagles. A Species at Risk study was
completed and found there was no issues according to Benjamins.

Wagner also voiced concern about the construction of the homes, asking if bylaw enforcement officer would be making sure the developers kept the streets clean from debris. Wagner says there is still a
mound of dirt and tall grasses in the area from the last phase of construction.

Benjamins says those rules are spelled out in the plan of subdivision and a construction management plan.

Town council will discuss the development at its Feb. 10 meeting.

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