Representatives from Giampaolo Developments were on hand at the Baltimore Recreation Centre on Monday evening to discuss plans for future development of Hunco Farm lands between Port Hope and Cobourg.
Giampaolo Developments was looking for resident feedback on a proposal that has yet to go before Township of Hamilton council or Northumberland County council for a mixed-use Development Proposal involving approximately 1600 acres on the lands owned by Hunco Farms, located in the Township. The proponent stressed the point several times that no land had been purchased at this point and no applications had been made to the township in relation to the project.
Giampaolo Developments President Todd Kerr said their goal was to get community feedback before proceeding with any development.
Reaction was decidedly mixed, with a majority of those residents who voiced concerns citing the loss of irreplaceable farmland and concerns about the cost of infrastructure to support the development.
Developers provided a master community concept plan of the development to act as a conversation starter, highlighting proposed industrial/commercial development areas near Highway 401 (in blue) as well as green spaces (in green) and literally thousands of potential homes (in yellow). In addition, the concept plan considered senior housing options as well as potential affordable housing.
Paul Burnham told the developers that he would not support the project, which he pointed out included 150 acres of land that he owns.
Don Hunter, the current owner of Hunco Farms told the attendees he made the decision to sell some of his farmland due to concerns over safety along County Road 2 which has been the site of three recent accidents due to traffic congestion, none of which Hunter says were the farms fault.
Former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Steve Gilcrist voiced concerns about the development of the infrastructure needed to support the development in light of the fact that developers are no longer on the hook to pay for these services.
Several attendees though voiced the opinion that while the loss of farmland was a concern, it is only a matter of time before these lands along the Highway 401 corridor will be developed. Additionally, many said that the lack of housing, particularly affordable housing, will prevent their children from staying in the area and so they were in support of development.
Giampaolo Development’s Todd Kerr said he was not surprized by the reactions, both positive and negative presented, and that he’ll be taking all of the feedback provided from the meeting back to be considered before any more plans are made to purchase or develop the lands between Hamilton Road and Apple Orchard Road.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
