Council okays industrial subdivision design

Design of a new light industrial subdivision for the city was approved Monday at the regular meeting of Council.

"Engineering Services continues to work on future servicing of land to fulfill specific needs for the city. The latest project is the West Gladstone Light Industrial Subdivision," detailed a report circulated at the meeting.

"The subject area is located west of Gladstone Street opposite the Ball Road Subdivision. The parcel is approximately 105 acres in area. This land could be suitable either for light or heavy-industrial activity. Engineering Services proposes to undertake the following work on this parcel: (1) Topographic survey, (2) Geotechnical program, and (3) Environmental Phase I report. This work will allow Engineering Services the opportunity to work on subdivision layouts using its software programs available through AutoCAD. The subdivision layouts can be done in-house with existing personnel and software. This initial work is required in order to ensure underlying soils are suitable for the proposed use and there are no environmental issues that will prevent the use of this work. Most purchasers require a geotech and environmental report for a property."

Gord Shaw, Director of Planning & Engineering with the City explained the project is a long term one.

"There is a long lead time in preparing a site for development. York Colony required 2.5 years before a tender was ready to its development. Engineering Services will work on West Gladstone as opportunities allow it. With private sector work anticipated to begin in 2013, this development can be done as time permits. This subdivision would replace the Ball Road Subdivision. There are relatively few lots available in that subdivision at the time this report was prepared," detailed his report.

This work is anticipated to cost $200,000.00. This project will be funded through the land fund and the cost will be recovered through the sale of lots in the subdivision. A preliminary layout is anticipated by the end of October of this year. If the private sector development comes on stream this year, Engineering Services can postpone further work on the design until it is needed, explained Shaw.