Rebuffed in previous efforts to extend water and sanitary sewers to the older parts of Breslau, Woolwich officials want another kick at the can. This time, however, they’re dangling a discount rate and the prospect of an actual downtown core as incentives.
Some 25 property owners on parts of Woolwich and Dolman streets will be approached for feedback on a plan to install sanitary sewer lines in conjunction with a new watermain and road reconstruction. Unlike a 2010 attempt, for instance, that saw homeowners each facing the prospect of a $92,000 price tag for water and sewers, this time around the bill for a smaller subset of residents would be $11,200.
The extension of water services is being paid for by developers, as a loop must be completed as part of the work in a neighbouring new subdivision. As well, the township is proposing to cover 42 per cent of the total cost of the sanitary sewers, with the benefitting property owners paying for the rest.
The township would use money from its development charges fund to cover its share, citing the development potential that would follow the extension of full municipal services to properties now using wells and septic systems.
Director of engineering and planning Dan Kennaley told councillors meeting Tuesday night in Breslau that the 42 per cent figure reflects how many of the 25 properties could see redevelopment if serviced.
At a total cost of $483,000 for the sanitary sewers, the cost to benefitting residents would drop to $280,140 once the township portion was subtracted. Divided by 25, the cost per property comes to $11,200. Each of the property owners would have to pay for the laterals to connect to the sanitary sewer, said Kennaley.
The properties in question are on Woolwich Street South, between Hopewell Creek bridge and Dolman Street; and on Dolman Street, between Woolwich and Joseph streets.
Under a planning study now underway in the village – the Breslau secondary plan – the township envisions the creation of a downtown core, a central hub in the community that has never had one. Despite a huge growth in the number of homes, there’s been no commercial development.
“The properties along this street will have a new village main street designation intended to support and strengthen the main street role of Woolwich Street as a focal point for the community, as well as a draw for tourists and visitors,” reads the report submitted to council this week. “This designation will also provide local commercial opportunities for retail, cultural, professional offices and entertainment, and will accommodate a certain level of residential intensification, while at the same time encouraging the re-use and conversion of existing buildings to protect the residential look and feel of the street.”
The lone councillor to sit through a succession of sometimes angry battles over servicing Breslau, Mark Bauman said he was hesitant to get involved again in that debate. Given the opportunity available with the other construction and the lowered cost, residents might be more receptive.
“I think it’s a great idea. I think it should go to the public,” he said, adding “$11,200 is a bargain” at less than half the cost of a new septic system.
Coun. Allan Poffenroth, the only one to vote against moving ahead to discuss the installation of sanitary sewers, said the use of development charges to offset costs could set a dangerous precedent. Others facing big bills for the extension of services might well ask for similar relief.
Acknowledging that this would be “kind of a precedent,” Kennaley noted there are few other spots that would have the kind of redevelopment potential seen in the core of Breslau.
