On the west side of Colchester, other than the development at Ambassador Beach, little has been shared or presented to Council with regard to the large number of homes in other 4 proposed developments. As per the map above, all of these are south of County Road 50. Note that much of the land south of County Rd 50 had been zoned as R1.1 residential years ago and is currently serviced with sanitary sewers and water. As a consequence, developers and builders may/may not require rezoning in most instances. There is though a significant concern about storm water management. As we know, much of the land in question is barely above high lake levels and serious flooding causing incredible damage to homes has taken place in recent years. A large group of Ambassador Beach residents made their concerns about flooding known to the Town when they appeared at the Committee of Adjustment meeting for the Horizon Development project in 2022. It is unknown if any design changes were made at this time. The major rainfall on August 24 and 25, 2023 caused hundreds of thousands of dollars damage to homes all over this area as a result of overloaded ditches, poorly performing or non working pumping stations and wastewater backups directly into homes. Adding another 434 homes with no significant updates to drainage systems will heighten the problem immensely.

The following charts below were put together using Government of Canada census data and a bit of common sense. The logic is that since Horizon Developments, at the project known as Colchester Heights adjacent to existing homes at Ambassador Beach intends to build all 2 family units that also allow a 3rd family unit in the rear yard known as an ADU (Additional Family Unit). That said let’s assume that the average size family is 2.9 people in Ontario (as per the latest Census), we’ll use 3 since 2.9 is only mathematically possible, and these 2 families live in the two unit home. Let’s also assume that 2 people occupy the ADU. That’s 8 people per building lot. Let’s also assume that the other builders at Erie Blue, Levergood, Wellesley & Lypps Beach build similar homes with 3 living units. It’s unlikely that every property owner in these new subdivisions would have 3 units but the possibility is there. If that did happen, up to 3,472 new residents would occupy a small area on the west side of Colchester. They would also add another 2,170 cars and trucks driving back and forth to Windsor for jobs and schools and shopping. This could be more people and more vehicles that currently are part of Colchester today and this doesn’t include the people and vehicles who’s be residents of the proposed 458 condo development known as Colchester Bay at Dunn Rd & Cty Rd 50!

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WEST BEACHES AREA OF COLCHESTER

Ambassador Beach

Known as ‘Colchester Heights’ - Developer indicates that this Project will could be Completed by end of 2025

MARKETING DATA FROM HORIZON WEBSITE

WRITER’S COMMENTS ABOUT COLCHESTER HEIGHTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

Horizon Developments, of Colchester Bay fame, is furthest along of the 5 West Colchester sites with their promise to build 52 somewhat unusual homes on a lot adjoining Cty Rd 50 at Ambassador Beach. All of these homes are residential buildings similar to duplex dwellings with an ADU (additional dwelling unit) built in. Note, these are not for sale separately. There will be one owner who will become a landlord to the tenants. With Colchester Heights, the primary residence is on the upper floor (1500) sq. ft. The lower level is a self-contained living unit of 1000 sq ft. An ADU (additional dwelling unit can be constructed in the rear yard. All units will be sub-metered to allow costs for hydro, Water & Sewage to be allocated to the tenants as the landlord sees fit although these homes will apparently be more energy efficient than usual new builds. Note that no construction has begun at this point but the Developer indicates completion by the end of 2025.

It should also be noted that up to 3 dwelling units can be constructed on each lot in various configurations thereby allowing significantly more inhabitants into that relatively small area. If, say, 3 people live in each of the upper and lower units and two in the ADU (additional dwelling unit), that is 8 people per lot or a total of 416 people and possibly 260 vehicles (see chart above).

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING

SEPT 23, ‘24

Note that at the Special Council Meeting was held on September 23, ‘24 from 4 to 6 PM at the Essex Town Hall to review the Application for a Subdivision at Ambassador Beach known as Colchester Heights. Council chambers were filled with delegations and spectators including those standing in the hallway. Six Delegations made presentations to Council expressing valid concerns about flooding and drainage, security, privacy, population density, loss of farmland, strain on infrastructure, excessive traffic, beach trespassing, parking, absentee landlords and environmental concerns. The Director of Development, Lori Chadwick gave her presentation on the process of requesting approval for a Subdivision from the Town and the County of Essex. The Dillon Engineering team provided more data on the drainage systems, piping sizes and other design considerations for the mitigation of potential drainage and flooding concerns. Mayor Bondy indicated that a number of stipulations will be forwarded to the County as requested by the delegations and the Town. Further noted was the fact that should the Town deny the application, the County could approve this application with none of the stipulations attached. Councillors, except Jason Matyi, voted to recommend the Subdivision application with the stipulations attached, to the County for approval. Further information to follow.

ERIE BLUE, LEVERGOOD, WELLESLEY, LYPPS BEACH DEVELOPMENTS

• ERIE BLUE - 84 Singles (Potential 672 residents + 420 vehicles)

• LEVERGOOD - 99 Singles (Potential 792 residents + 495 vehicles)

• WELLESLEY - 39 Singles (Potential 312 residents + 195 vehicles)

• LYPPS BEACH - 160 Singles (Potential 1280 residents + 800 vehicles)

NOTE A POSSIBLE 3056 RESIDENTS AND 1910 VEHICLES IN THESE 4 DEVELOPMENTS ALONE

Other than the possible number of homes to be built in each of these projects, the Town of Essex Planning Department has released little information about these four developments. The list and the map above highlight the potential numbers but most developer’s names and possible application for removal of the Hold designation are not yet available. Again though, each of these ‘singles’ has the potential to become 3 family residences with a duplex plus an ADU (Additional Dwelling Unit) in the backyard or even a triplex.

If and when more information becomes available, it will be added to this website.

DOCUMENT DOWNLOADS RE:

COLCHESTER WEST DEVELOPMENTS