Foster development second draft adopted at special meeting
Foster councillor approves proposed Faubourg Lac-brome plan
Amendments to the first draft regarding the proposed housing development in Foster were adopted, answers to questions from the mid-december consultation were presented, and a lengthy detailed explanation related to process of referendum if the citizens would decide to go that route were the main basis of a special meeting Monday night, February 19.
The biggest amendment related to the town’s agreement with the developer to purchase three lots that would be maintained as an outdoor area for recreational activities.
As follow-up to a consultation meeting held in mid-december 2017 in Foster concerning the proposed housing development, Faubourg Lac-brome on the 64hectare tract of land that once was the Lac-brome Golf Course, Mayor Richard Burcombe called a special meeting to provide answers to question posed by many of the citizens who had been in attendance.
Unlike the December meeting where over a hundred people were in attendance, 30 people came to listen to updates and answers to those concerns that the mayor had promised to deliver answers to.
Reminding all that the municipal bylaws allow for a plan of this nature, he outlined that 48 single-family dwellings would each be responsible for their individual wells and septic systems. In order to accommodate the flow of traffic roads would be built to link with Foster and Lakeside roads.
The development takes into consideration the protection of the environment
and surrounding wetlands as a priority that would ultimately attract buyers. Of the 64 hectares only 53 per cent of the land’s total area would be developed. The balance would be represented by 20.8 hectares of protected wetland, a 6.5hectare public zone devoted to nature observation, and 2.15 hectares for recreational space. The project is touted to be “environmentally sound and would benefit Foster residents and TBL as a whole.”
The predominant concern from citizens related to issues over the potential impact to existing homes in the area when considering the additional potable water consumption. The mayor said that a firm specializing in hydrogeology undertook the assessment at the proposed future site. The consensus from experts is that, “it seems highly unlikely that the planned residential development could jeopardize water for the urban part of Foster.” He reminded the audience that Domaine Brome with its 40 houses, and Robinson Bay with its 50, and Rock Island Bay with another 50 houses are not hooked to the town system either. There have been no reports of problems from these three areas with regards to availability of water.
Answering to the concern about possible contamination from septic systems that would be close to waterways, the mayor said that all waste disposal systems must conform to government regulations. Adding to it, homeowners are responsible for undertaking percolation tests to determine the ground’s hydraulic load capacity, and the results would determine the type of system required.
Although the developer and the municipality considered a sewage system to accommodate the entire housing development, it would have meant that it could accommodate double the number of houses, reducing the appeal to perspective buyers who want more space.
In terms of light pollution from the project the mayor assured everyone that the project will be subject to a memorandum of understanding between the municipality and the developer, that the end decision would comply to light pollution standards.
The council and administration has gone forward with an agreement to purchase three lots amounting to 2.1 hectares in the southern portion of the project. This will allow the public to be able to use this area on a year-round basis for outdoor recreational activities.
The mayor highlighted that if the project would go through, it could attract 150 new residents, increasing the population by 2.7 per cent as well as adding $120,000 in municipal taxes per annum.
After much reflection and consideration to concerns about the proposed development, David Taveroff, councillor for Foster, announced his endorsement of the project. “Answers concerning water and sewage have been answered sufficiently and now I can say that I am in favour of the project.” He said that he wanted to represent the majority of the people he represents and made it clear that there were those still clearly against it, some with no decision, and most who were in support. With the answers that have been presented concerning the most pressing concerns related to water and sewage, he said he felt comfortable now in supporting the plan.
The decision lies in the people’s hands now. There will be a notice in the local papers inviting people to participate in a process if they object to the plan. If there would be enough, then the next step would be to open a registry and then if there would be enough to warrant a full referendum, the town would be obligated to follow through with one. The key is to pay attention to any town notices in the local papers to know what next to do. If there are insufficient numbers, then the town will go ahead with giving the developer the go-ahead.