The City will be extending water and sanitation services and roadway along Rae Avenue to help accommodate a proposed three-unit group home development.
A group home for the mentally and physically disabled is proposed on a portion of Rae Avenue that does not have municipal services, Gord Shaw, Director of Planning & Engineering with the City told the regular meeting of Council Monday.
Shaw added additional group homes are planned for the same area.
"The group home is proposed in an area of the Harris Subdivision that does not have services or physical access. The road allowance was subdivided many years ago but this portion of the street was never constructed," detailed a report circulated to Council.
"Municipal water and sewer are located to the west of the subject property. These would have to be extended to service this property. In addition, the water line should be looped through Mayfair Avenue. This ensures not only continuous water supply to properties in this area of the Harris Subdivison but also follows good engineering design. The sanitary sewer line will also be extended through Mayfair Avenue in anticipation of development of property to the east of the Harris Subdivision. Rae Avenue and Mayfair Avenue will be developed to a rural cross section with open ditches to accommodate storm water."
Shaw also noted, it is likely that the developer, a non-profit organization, has the ability to construct both the group home as well as provide the servicing.
"The City will have to extend these services at some point in the future for development along the Rae Avenue as well as Mayfair. It is prudent to construct Mayfair Avenue at the same time as this work is done as it will be more cost effective than having to mobilize a contractor twice. By doing so, the parcel to the east of Mayfair Avenue and those along Rae Avenue will be ready for future development. The Harris Subdivision is an older neighbourhood in the City. This means that this cost cannot be assessed against the existing properties," stated the report.
It was estimated the work would cost the City about $470,000.
Councillor Richard Okrainec questioned where the funding would come from.
Lonnie Kaal, Director of Finance with the City said while that has not been fully determined by Administration, money from the City's Land Development Fund, or charges some of the water line installation to the utility are possibilities.
The work was unanimously supported by Council.
