Amid hesitations about the plans, and strong community opposition, Council approved in principle a mixed-market rental housing complex and social services hub at the former Queen Elizabeth School site in Picton.

New View Holdings was the only one of five development proposals for the site to revise its concept plan in response to feedback from preliminary public engagement. 

The company is spearheaded by Tim Neeb, who has also partnered with Alan Hirschfield on another affordable housing initiative in Picton, the Homes First Nicholas Street development. 

Mr. Neeb is widely acclaimed for several affordable and mixed-income housing facilities in Toronto. 

In response to concerns over density, New View lowered the proposed number of purpose-built rental apartments from 246 to 198, and added greenspace in the form of a playground, community garden, and tree planting. It also increased the community hub space from 12,000 to 20,600 square feet. 

Alternatives for Women, The County Foundation, and Prince Edward Learning Centre have all expressed interest in renting space in the new development. 

Council agreed, however, that the plans still had a way to go to integrate effectively into the existing residential community. A massive central parking lot leaving limited greenspace on the 4.5-acre site, and traffic on the already very busy Barker Street near Prince Edward Collegiate Institute, were the most pressing concerns cited by residents.

New View proposes four apartment buildings from three to 4.5 storeys tall, with the tallest building set back furthest from the street. The half-storey upper levels will be topped by gable or mansard style roofs to reduce building mass and conform to the architectural style of the historic neighbourhood. 

Susan Treverton, Executive Director of Community Living Prince Edward, urged Council to move forward with the plan, citing the urgent need for affordable housing for both clients and staff of the organization. 

“Watching valued and contributing members of our community be compelled to leave because they cannot find housing they can afford is simply unacceptable,” she said.

New View is also exploring adding deeply affordable and supportive units in partnership with Quinte’s Isle Non-Profit Housing Corporation. Some of these would be made available to Community Living. 

A partnership agreement allows the County to sell the property to the developer at the purchase price of $1.5 million, while maintaining significant control over the site plans. 

The motion carried 9 to 4. Councillors Braney, Nieman, Pennell, and Prinzen were opposed. 

Neighbours Opposed

Not everyone was sold on the vision of an integrated community idyll. Residents of Barker, Centre, and Paul Streets cited density, traffic in a school zone, and insufficient green space. 

Others worried Council was moving too quickly in order to recoup the seven-figure purchase price before the end of the year. 

Citing concerns about traffic safety and servicing for a densified neighbourhood, resident Tim Johnson asked, “We just want to know, can you handle it?”

Adam Goheen, the County’s Housing Director, clarified that the motion before Council was to support the concept plan “in principle.” 

“Nothing is set in stone,” he said, agreeing there is still work to be done on the plans. “We need approval to start having the conversation with the developer.” Councillors in favour cited affordable rental housing as a signal Council priority.

“All of the data points to affordable housing being essential to the health and fundamental sustainability of our community,” said Councillor Bill Roberts. He noted that higher density housing is a recommended climate change solution. 

“We’ve got a middle class population that can’t afford to live here,” said Councillor Janice Maynard. 

Mr. Goheen noted that the County’s formal definition of “affordable” means the one-bedroom apartments will end up being $400 below market rent. 

Those opposed argued it was too soon to choose a path forward. Councillor Brad Nieman moved to defer the proposal in favour of keeping the property in municipal hands for much-needed office space. 

Urging Council to take the housing crisis seriously, Councillor St-Jean declared, “if a deferral motion makes it to the floor, what an absolute shame. Shame on us.”

As Council had already moved to seek expressions of interest in developing a mixed-use affordable housing hub, it seemed a bit late to decide to defer. In 2023, the Queen Elizabeth School Redevelopment Community Partner Selection Committee created a plan to combine affordable housing with a community services hub at the former school property.

After failing to secure financing from the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, the County purchased the property for $1.5 million and sought Expressions of Interest (EOI) from prospective development partners. 

The motion to defer lost 9 to 4, with Councillors Pennell, Nieman, Harrison, and Grosso in favour. 

Council then voted to carry the original motion over some strong opposition. “A development like this could completely destroy the fabric of the community,” said Councillor Chris Braney.

Mayor Ferguson said the motion meant “more conversation,” noting both the developer and residents will have to make concessions as the plan moves through the approval process.