After a long wait, we may be seeing the development of the Port Robinson Estates begin as soon as early 2017. Although the initial draft approval was in 2008 with modified plans in 2013, plans have now changed with even more land being added to the project along with a scale-back in size of the commercial space.
So, what took so long?
Initially, in 2008, the Port Robinson Estates proposal for a 57-acre parcel of land consisted of 229 single-detached homes, 45 townhomes, 115 apartment units, a commercial area, a park, and a stormwater management facility. A handful of people voiced their concerns at various council meetings, concerned about the density of the development and whether or not Port Robinson even needed it.
Thorold city politicians and development representatives converse
Jump to 2014, the 56-acre subdivision that originally had a draft plan of 389 homes now had a new draft plan endorsed by city politicians to see through the development of 413 homes including 160 multi-residential units. The modifications to this development were submitted by a consultant on behalf of Maple Hill Developments Inc.
Move to today…
Poised to break ground on this project soon, representatives of Maple Hill Developments - who are also in partnership with homebuilder Empire Homes - recently notified Thorold city council of an additional 19 acres of land acquired to add to the 58.4-acre property. Plans have now changed and, instead of a 135,000 square foot commercial space, the commercial space will be around 87,700 square feet.
The plan for this subdivision is now calling for 411 homes including 239 single detached homes, 72 freehold townhouse units, parkland and the commercial space. The community design presented by Empire Homes featured art renderings of homes with double-car and single-car garages, narrower lots, and townhomes in blocks of six units.
Port Robinson Estates is another example of big Niagara developments that continue to have an impact on not only the residential growth but economic growth of the region. Home buyers and investors alike will jump at the opportunity once these houses hit the market, so long as the market stays as is (which it’s predicted to). Although this development is a while away from completion, it’ll be interesting to see the impact it has on Thorold as a community and whether or not developments such as this begin to take place more frequently in Thorold as the city and region continue to be revitalized.
