New homes proposed for Epsom
by Blake Wolfe/The Scugog Standard

A new plan that came before council last week could see 17 new homes built in Epsom.
_A public meeting in Scugog Council chambers on Dec. 5 addressed the plan, slated for a parcel of land bordered by Marsh Hill Rd. to the west and Reach St. to the south. Twelve of the proposed homes - described by planning consultant Valerie Cranmer as “keeping in character” with the Epsom community - would be accessed via a new road constructed off of Marsh Hill Rd. north of Epsom Public School, while another five lots to the east of the school would front directly onto Reach St. Another portion of the parcel could be developed in the future, said Community Services Director Don Gordon.
_According to a staff report, all of the properties would be on private septic systems.
_While no neighbours of the proposed development outright opposed the addition of new homes in the community, several residents raised concerns about the potential impact of construction on existing drainage and local private wells, in an area noted for long-standing water issues.
_Jim Aazam, a neighbour of the proposed development, said that stormwater management must be the top priority of the developer, citing a 2009 storm that sent debris downhill due to the steep incline northeast of the Reach St./Marsh Hill Rd. intersection, blocking his driveway as a result.
_Bob Hawker, a long-time Epsom resident who also lives adjacent to the development, told council that spring runoff has always been an issue on his property, a problem which could potentially increase with the proposed construction.
_Planning and Public Works Director Ian Roger also noted the potential increase of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic along Marsh Hill Rd., which would require increased road maintenance.
_However, he said that due to the incline of the land along the roadside, it would be unlikely that sidewalks would be installed along the route.
_Ms. Cranmer said that at a recent community meeting regarding the development, issues that were identified included stormwater management, pedestrian safety and the development’s “fitting in” to the community, to which she reiterated that neighbours “won’t be seeing any mega-houses” as a result of construction.
_Council will make a recommendation on the plan in the future.