Committee paves way to connect two sections of local road

The community services committee of North Bay City Council has unanimously approved a plan of subdivision that — upon final Council approval — will join two parts of Bain Drive and lead to further development of both single-family and townhouse dwellings.

In a report prepared by City of North Bay Senior Planner Peter Carello, he observes it is unusual to receive a draft plan of subdivision for only a road, a sentiment echoed by Beverley Hillier, Manager, Planning & Building Services during the meeting. There are no new residential lots being constructed as part of this application. The new section of Bain Drive would curve at the back of a parcel of property officially known as 771 Golf Club Rd (see maps above).

They both anticipate the connection of Bain Drive will facilitate the future development of the area and approaching the matter in this way is the most efficient and reasonable way to have this property identified and dedicated to the City as a municipal road. Bain Drive is identified as a future collector road in the City's official plan.

The developer will be responsible for the construction of the road and services. According to the report, a condition of the initial draft approval of the plan of subdivision was the development could not proceed to the second phase of the planned subdivision until the Bain Drive connection was completed. This condition was later built into the subdivision agreement for the first phase of development.

In the staff report, Carello notes the connection of Bain Drive, located in a subdivision north of the intersection of Airport Road and Pearce Street "represents a positive development for the community. The road network in this area will be improved as a result. It will also facilitate future phases of the subdivision, resulting in more homes being built and available for sale."

Rick Miller of Miller and Urso Surveying Inc., appeared on behalf of client Highland Woods Developments Inc., and Jograh Investments Ltd., during the virtual special committee meeting, Monday.

"This extension of Bain Drive will facilitate the construction of a number of dwellings on a new street that is presently under construction in the area to the south — that was previously draft approved," Miller told the committee members. "There's a combination of single-family dwellings and townhouse dwellings that are already approved on that street and will proceed with construction this year. So, that's the purpose of getting this roadway going immediately, so there is a connection."

Carello reports the proposal was circulated to property owners within 120 metres of the subject lands, as well as to several municipal departments and agencies for comments. Several respondents, including the Engineering Department, Building Department, and North Bay–Mattawa Conservation Authority offered no concerns or objections.

However, one nearby property owner whose property will be directly affected by the construction of the connecting roadway expressed concerns regarding the restoration of their driveway as it falls within the planned road allowance. The residents also had general concerns about "future transit routes, the speed of future traffic and the design of the intersection."

Both Carello and Hillier touched on these concerns and maintain City staff has spoken directly to this property owner. Carello notes in his report, a clause obligating the developer to reconstruct the affected portion of the driveway in question has been added as a condition of approval.
North Bay City Council will vote on the Bain Drive proposal during a future regular meeting.