Heather Wright/The Independent

A seniors townhouse development in Petrolia has cleared the first hurdle for development.

Larlyn Properties is planning a new fourplex and 32 townhomes behind homes already on Eureka Street.

Larry Holmes has been working with town officials on the one storey, “low-maintenance” rental housing units for seniors for the past five years.

Monday, the developer came to council to have the zoning for the project approved. That would allow Holmes to plan out the subdivision.

Some residents wrote to the town objecting the plan created too many housing units in the area. But Lambton County planning officials told council the 40 units planned for the 4.6 acre lot is about half of what could be built in the area.

Neighbours Brad and Jessica Gibbons voiced concern that a large number of trees which were in a Significant woodlot area were removed from the land without permission. Planner Will Nywening said the county’s woodlot officer determined from the stumps, the area didn’t officially qualify as a woodlot.

The new zoning would remove the significant woodlot protection from the Larlyn property.

Eureka Street resident Jolene Collins also voiced concern the property, which helped soak up heavy rainfalls, may not drain properly, causing problems for the existing residents.

Mayor Brad Loosley assured Collins the developer has to provide an extensive drainage plan before the shovels go in the ground.

While council approved the zoning for the property, there are still several steps to go before construction begins, including working with county planners on a site plan.

Holmes told residents that once all the approvals are in place, it will likely take two years to build the townhouses.