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Draft East Fonthill Site Master Plan
The Town of Pelham has a Secondary Plan within its Official Plan known as the East Fonthill Secondary Plan, the purpose of which is to provide policies for a comprehensively planned community structure. In addition to residential developments, the area will see an influx in commercial developments. The Town of Pelham has also planned to use its available lands to benefit the community with the addition of facilities that will have a large impact on the Niagara Region. The Secondary Plan will not only provide commercial and residential growth for both the immediate area of Fonthill and Pelham, but for the Niagara Region as a whole.
Developing a plan to grow Fonthill and Pelham
The proposed development of the East Fonthill Secondary Plan is located in the east end of the Town of Pelham, within the east end of the Village of Fonthill. The approval of the East Fonthill Secondary Plan allows for the growth of East Fonthill, with developments for commercial, a medical facility, a retirement residence, a community centre, and low to high density residential uses planned in the short term (1-5 years). The Secondary Plan is principled on smart growth and recognizes and responds to the policy initiatives of the Niagara Region and the Province of Ontario, while establishing a comfortable and attractive community with a full range of housing types along with commercial and community facilities. The Plan is expected to be substantially built-out by the year 2031.
The structure of the community
- Four residential neighbourhoods- Each of these neighbourhoods is planned to contribute to the overall housing mix and density targets of the community. Policies permit the introduction of neighbourhood-serving retail, commercial and institutional land uses within each neighbourhood. Homes in the area have traditionally been on large lots (70 ft) in established neighbourhoods, however as land becomes increasingly scarce in Niagara, smaller lots have been proposed for new developments. The new residential development lots in East Fonthill will be between 40-50 ft.
- Commercial/Employment Centre- The centre is expected to develop as a mixed-use community with a major retail centre and a full range of employment and commercial uses, higher density residential uses and/or institutional uses and community facilities.
- The Greenlands System- Includes linked natural heritage features, public parks, trails and storm water management facilities. This system provides the overall structure for the Secondary Plan.
Creating developments that will benefit Niagara
The Town of Pelham has agreed to a joint agreement to coordinate the sale, serving and development of the lands along Regional Road 20. The town declared 7.7 acres of the 32 acres it owns as surplus in March 2014. The land was available for sale at a cost of $375,000 per acre (plus the cost of servicing). The lands were exchanged with Fonthill Gardens Inc., strictly to facilitate the development of a medical centre and retirement residence. The plan includes a 30,000 sq. ft. medical facility with 5-10 family doctors and other allied professionals and approximately 120 units for a retirement complex. The facilities are targeted to open late 2015.
Additionally, the Town of Pelham and Wellspring Niagara have partnered together to bring a regional cancer support centre for Niagara residents. The Town of Pehlam and Wellspring Niagara signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in April, 2014. The MOU provides the framework for two acres of land that will be leased for one dollar a day to Wellspring Niagara, which will continue indefinitely unless Wellspring ceases to operate the centre. The lands, located at Rice Road at Regional Road 20 in East Fonthill, will act as a gateway location, allowing Wellspring Niagara to consolidate its two current locations.
The addition of the medical centre and cancer support centre will have a tremendous impact on the Niagara Region. The new commercial and community developments will create more jobs and attract professionals to the area. Connect with your Niagara real estate appraiser to learn why developers are looking to invest Niagara and how you can become a part of it.
