2021-03-31

Developer proposes more residential complexes in Bridgewater

by KEITH CORCORAN

  • <p>SOURCE: TOWN OF BRIDGEWATER</p><p>A rendering of the proposed new development presented to town council.</p>

The local developer behind the residential transformation of the former Bridgewater Baptist Church has more plans for the same south King Street neighbourhood.

A Lunenburg County numbered company owned by Craig Schrader applied to the Town of Bridgewater to build a series of buildings on less than a hectare of west side property.

The land in question fronts King Street, Maple Street, and Prince Street. Schrader is applying to establish five buildings containing five units each.

"The layout is proposed to be two buildings toward the front on King Street, and some parking in between, and the three toward Prince Street," Mackenzie Childs, a town planner, told a March 22 meeting of town council.

"The buildings are proposed to be two-and-a-half storeys; a mix of two bedroom units, and one bedroom units, and the applicant plans to do as much affordable housing as possible."

Structures would be about 390-square metres in size. At least a dozen units are expected to be of the affordable housing variety, and Schrader intends to have one barrier-free unit in each building.

Councillor Wayne Thorburne told his colleagues he was pleased to see a project proposing some affordable housing, something, he said, is needed and the town could use.

Schrader's multi-unit residential project requires a development agreement with the town because the land has a type of commercial zoning that only allows up to three units fronting most of the previously-mentioned streets.

"An initial review of the proposal has been done by [the town's] community development staff," Childs said in a written report to council, noting it needs further policy analysis, including by the town's engineering personnel.

"Further revisions to the proposal may be considered based on public feedback. Following [a] public meeting and any further revisions to the proposal, staff will provide a full analysis of the proposed development and the development agreement at a future meeting of council."

"If given consideration by council, the application will proceed to public hearing. Staff will present a final report and recommendation at that time."

Schrader's proposal was tabled at council for information purposes. No formal motions were put forward.

Back in 2016, council authorized land use and planning changes that cleared the way for the former Bridgewater Baptist Church to house 16 apartment units. Existing zoning at the time prevented Schrader's transformation of the old house of worship.

The old church was vacated after the congregation relocated to a new facility on the east side of town.

The first service in the new Glen Allan Drive Bridgewater Baptist Church was held in April 2015.

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