Brantford’s city council has given the green light to plans for a 764-unit subdivision on the former Arrowdale Golf Course.
With a narrow margin of 6-5, councillors approved both an official plan amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment to accommodate the proposal from Elite MD Arrowdale Holdings. Mayor Kevin Davis and councillors John Sless, Dan McCreary, Rose Sicoli, Gino Caputo, and Greg Martin voted in favor, while Michael Sullivan, Linda Hunt, Brian Van Tilborg, Richard Carpenter, and Mandy Samwell opposed the amendments.
Despite the division, all except one councillor agreed to schedule a meeting with the developer to ensure proper maintenance of the property. The meeting, proposed by Hunt and representing Ward 4 along with Coun. Richard Carpenter, aims to address concerns raised by area residents.
Hunt emphasized the deteriorating property maintenance since the developer took over, citing issues like overgrown grass and unattended litter, which have become major concerns for neighbors.
Acknowledging the reactive approach taken thus far, Hunt proposed a resolution for the city to proactively enforce standards on the developer.
City staff reported numerous complaints about the property over the past year, reflecting a decline in its upkeep since Elite MD’s ownership began in 2020.
Van Tilborg lamented the transformation of Arrowdale from a community gem to an unkempt property, emphasizing delays in addressing complaints due to contractor availability.
The proposed development, spanning 32 acres at 282 Stanley Street and bordered by Stanley Street, Elgin Street, and Rawdon Street, includes a mix of housing types and amenities such as a parkette and walkway.
Prior to the vote, both Van Tilborg and Carpenter voiced opposition to the proposal. Carpenter criticized the city’s rationale for selling Arrowdale, alleging that the promise of affordable housing was used as a pretext for a denser development than initially planned.
Carpenter also highlighted the controversial nature of the issue, suggesting it would leave a lasting legacy for the current council.
