Big plans for old Horton

BY KIRK STARRATT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com



Kings County councillor Chris Parker has been going door-to-door in Greenwich to raise awareness of a proposed comprehensive mixed-use development at the site of the old Horton High School.

Parker has been circulating a flyer to let residents know about a public hearing on the matter to be held at council chambers in Kentville Thursday, March 29 at 7 p.m. Council gave initial consideration to entering into the development agreement with M.I.R. 1 Development Inc. of Wolfville at the Tuesday, March 6 session. The agreement would discharge a prior development agreement on the property established with Apollo Venture Capital Limited in 2001.

Parker said he wasn’t aware of the matter coming to council in March until he saw it on the agenda. This concerns him, as a large portion of the development would be in Greenwich, his district. He said the development affects New Minas as well, but the councillor for the area has chosen not to canvass door-to-door.

Parker said the upcoming public hearing would be the only opportunity for councillors to hear from the public on the matter. Council is expected to give second and final consideration to the development agreement at the Tuesday, April 3 session. Parker visited residents between March 8 and 11, until he ran out of flyers, but said he would visit the remaining homes. If people can’t attend the hearing, they can send written submissions to the county.



164 residential units on the property

Parker said M.I.R. 1 is looking to develop 164 residential units on the property and there are currently about 120 houses in Greenwich.

“This one piece of property could increase the population of Greenwich by about 1.4 times,” he said, pointing out he’s neutral on the matter. It’s up to the constituents to determine what they want to see developed in their community. However, “this will change the characteristics of Greenwich,” he said.

The property would be developed in three stages: Block A to the west, Block B in the centre and Block C to the east.

Block A would be 5.8 acres and include 92 multi-residential units in three to six buildings with a maximum height of 35 feet. There would be a 40-foot-wide buffer on the steep slope to the east, a 0.5-acre public park, sidewalks, amenity areas and landscaping.

Block B would be 6.7 acres and include the area with the current buildings. There would be commercial, light industrial and community uses, buffering and screening and sidewalks. There wouldn’t be any big-box stores, but there would be a lounge or cabaret.

Block C would be 4.7 acres and include 72 residential units in townhouses and/or one multi-unit building, a residential care facility, amenity area and temporary sporting or concert events.

Parker said he has received many calls and e-mails on the matter and has directed municipal staff to respond to several.