By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Thirty-four townhomes will be built in Tavistock in the near future, but not all of them are going to have for-sale signs until 2027.
Oxford County council recently approved a plan that will see the residences built on an empty parcel of land between Optimist Park and Village Manor. The homes will be built on six residential blocks.
“We need this type of home. I like the density of this type of application. I like the fact that it is infill,” said East Zorra-Tavistock Mayor and county Coun. Phil Schaefer. “These are the type of homes I think are going to be needed in the village so I wholeheartedly support this application.”
Oxford County deputy warden and Ingersoll Mayor Brian Petrie agreed with Schaefer.
“I think it’s amazing we’re going to see the upper ends of the medium-density spectrum in a small, urban area. It’s a great sign for the future and certainly, that is something I can support.”
Apple Homes is the company behind the development and partner Brian Wilhelm said the prices will be reasonable.
“The final number of units should be 34 or very close. We have a basic floor plan and front elevations in the works. Originally, we were hoping to be under $600,000 for a purchase price but with changes in permits etc., we assume they will be above that but under $650,000.”
Work on the site started several years ago, but Wilhelm explained getting to this point has been a slow process.
“We started on the project back in 2020 and were planning on having houses by now, but planning delays and red tape have taken a while. We hope to start building this year with possession for later this year through 2026.”
There was a drain across the property, which was improved and moved in the summer of 2023 for the site to be ready for servicing.
“As you can see on the plan, there will be a street off Woodstock Street South (Highway 59) with a circle at the north end. We feel that there is a good chance we will be allowed to service this summer and get the street in place,” added Wilhelm.
“There are lots of challenges, but we are working through them to get affordable housing on the way. These developments are years in the making to bring them to reality.”
The proposed street would end in a temporary cul-de-sac, which would be extended down the road as development occurs on the north end. Nine of the 34 units will not be built for two years since there is only servicing available for 25 units. The remaining units will be built once the William Street pumping station upgrades are completed in 2027.
Oxford County’s population is expected to increase to 155,000 over the next six years, up from 126,700 in 2021. Many people from the Greater Toronto Area and other larger cities to the east are now making Oxford home and, as a result, some politicians feel the county isn’t ready for the potential growth.
“That makes higher-density housing all the more important,” said Schaefer.
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