Residential development of manor-owned land along Deakin Drive to include single-unit, multi-unit and townhouses
The Carleton Manor board of directors and the town of Woodstock expressed support for a residential housing development outlined by the New Brunswick Housing Hub team for a parcel of land along Deakin Drive.
After delivering a presentation and gaining approval from the manor board earlier in the day, Housing Hub Senior Development Manager Shane Thompson delivered the same presentation at the Woodstock regular council meeting on Jan. 14.
Thompson explained the background of Housing Hub’s involvement in planning the development of a 23-acre parcel of land stretching along the opposite side of Deakin Driver from the Carleton Manor Nursing Home.
He explained that during the spring and early summer of last year, the Housing Hub became engaged with the town and board to study the feasibility of the residential development and present a vision if possible.
Thompson said the town and manor entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last spring and then engaged Housing Hub N.B. in June to “provide capacity and a development strategy.”
Meanwhile, in the summer, the board and town developed their vision for the project and surveyed the broader community for input.
Thompson explained that earlier that day, the manor board approved Housing Hub’s “site plan concept and phased development proposal.”
Following Thompson’s presentation, Mayor Trina Jones noted the manor board’s approval to move to the development’s next phase, noting that the town’s role now is to determine potential community involvement.
“If we build it, is this something we know we can fill and accommodate, and also see the capacity for the non-profit side. There’s a lot of outreach that can be done.”
Jones explained that the town’s role is to continue the MOU currently in place with the manor, apply for funding support where available, and develop partnerships to proceed.
Jones acknowledged the town could explore other options besides residential development, citing a potential home for a proposed new fire hall as an example.
“Fundamentally, that might not be the right space and home for the fire hall in particular because I think there’s so much opportunity to have housing that’s critically important in that exact location and it’s walkable in nature to so many of our amenities,” she said.
Thompson’s plan didn’t include a fire hall but offered a variety of residential options to meet Woodstock’s accessibility needs.
He explained that the needs assessment data indicates a growing need for affordable housing options, including subsidized homes, and increasing demands for age-appropriate housing.
Thompson explained that the site plans unveiled to the council would be subject to change, noting that access from Deakin Drive to the residential development must ensure traffic and pedestrian safety.
He added that the proposed concept considers the buffer zones required for the brook running through the proposed development area.
Thompson’s presentation included examples of proposed residential buildings, such as a multi-unit apartment building, row houses, and duplexes, including those designed for senior living.
He explained that a sustainable vision should include affordable rentals, market rentals, market-sale building lots, and affordable ownership options.
Thompson said a successful outcome would require the collaboration of several partners, including CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation), RDC (Regional Development Corporation), Housing N.B., Housing Hub N.B., the municipality, the private sector, and non-profit organizations.
Thompson exhibited an organization chart that listed Carleton Manor as the owner, with the town providing staff and an annual budget. He explained that the Housing Hub would serve as project manager, providing civil engineering and financial analysis.
He said the project will require the development of partners from the private and non-profit sectors.
With the Carleton Manor approval and the town’s endorsement in place, Thompson said the next step is to schedule public engagement.
Following public engagement, he said planners would need to submit a Phase 1 infrastructure request to RDC and secure development agreements.
Subsequent steps include securing development agreements, finalizing a subdivision plan, issuing civil tenders, registering lots for sale and securing funding for non-profit development.