Wellington Bay Estates

Another new subdivision proposal is shared with the community

A third Wellington subdivision proposal was shared with residents last Wednesday evening at the Wellington and District Community Centre. Darby Berkhout and his project, Wellington Bay Estates, is suggesting a subdivision on the eastern edge of Wellington, south of the Millennium Trail. This comes after presentations from Kaitlin Corp’s Illusions project and Alan Hirschfield’s Fields of Wellington project. The three projects combined would see over 1,000 new units in Wellington at full buildout.

Berkhout explained that his father, Jack, has owned the property for close to 30 years, and he was excited to finally see the project start to come to fruition. “My father has owned this property going on 30 years. He’s getting on in age, so I took over the property and with some friends we have started developing it.” said Berkhout.

Martin Mazierski, President of Wellington Bay Estates, said the proposed subdivision, which is in the early planning stages, would see 179 units—20 of those being dual semidetached units. The development also owns land north of the Millennium Trail, which could see an additional 200 units in the future. “The latest version of the draft plan has been submitted with the County and we are awaiting their comments. The current filing reflects multiple changes and revisions that have been made to earlier versions of the draft plan in response to feedback from County staff,” said Mazierski. Mazierski is hopeful that pricing will start in the $350,000 range, and work its way up from there.

Berkhout also shared that a multi-purpose roadway would be part of the plan. “We have a main thoroughfare that is going to link Main Street to the Millennium Trail. We are having an extra-wide roadway that will have a pedestrian path and multi-purpose path as well,” he said. This thoroughfare would link to the crescents within the development.

Wellington Bay Estates is working in partnership with Sandbanks Homes owner Conrad Guziewicz. The project will be similar to Guziewicz’s Wellington on the Lake development, featuring an age-in-place model. The project would also house a community centre and a health centre that promotes physical well-being and would have quality of life capabilities. “There is high demand for these type of units,” added Guziewicz.

Guziewicz is concerned about the ramifications should this subdivision not move forward. He has run out of inventory at his Wellington on the Lake project, leaving the more than 200 workers he indirectly employs in limbo. “I have no more stock. If this subdivision plan doesn’t go forward, it would be crippling to the community and local economy,” he says.

Guziewicz claims that since this property is located south of the Millennium Trail, it fits better with the current Wellington community, and has the necessary infrastructure in place. “Unlike the other proposals, this development is south of the Millennium Trail, meaning the infrastructure is in place to start building tomorrow if we needed too.” said Guziewicz.

Guziewicz understands that affordable housing is needed in the County, and is hoping to offset this project with affordable options elsewhere. “If this project happens, I am building 25 low-cost semis or towns in Picton. They will start at $259,000 which is very attainable,” he said. “We will also roll out rental apartments in Wellington starting in the $1,100 per month range. We look forward to the community’s support with these projects.”