Sparks Fly During Tillsonburg Subdivision Discussion

Thursday, 13 April 2023 at 05:21

By Robert Van Ryswyck

Lots of Tillsonburg residents attended yesterday's Oxford County Council meeting to voice their concerns regarding a new subdivision in the west end of town.

TILLSONBURG - The Oxford County Council meeting erupted with applause and outrage as council discussed the incoming subdivision on the west end of Tillsonburg.

Several presentations were made objecting to the plan during yesterday's meeting because of traffic, environmental, and other concerns.

Tillsonburg Mayor Deb Gilvesy was able to pass a motion to defer for two weeks to give Tillsonburg's Town Council a chance to find solutions and compromises.

"I think moving forward once we get together and have this think tank session we can probably brainstorm some hopefully palatable solutions that would be agreeable to the developer, and agreeable to the town and the residents."

Gilvesy says Tillsonburg is concerned with traffic control, and environmental impact.

"Tillsonburg Town Council has made it a vision and a goal to maintain green spaces. So, in the resolution it talked about keeping the buffer zones and if trees were lost, to replace any trees moving forward."

One concern beyond the reach of both councils is the lack of available schools in the area. Gilvesy says the Thames Valley District School Board would need to expand or build new schools in the area to accommodate the new subdivision without extensive bussing.

A request was made for the decision to be deferred for six months for Tillsonburg Town Council to brainstorm solutions, but County Council is only giving two weeks and the option to defer one more time if the two-week timeline cannot be met.

Several councillors weighed in, including Deb Tait who sympathized with the traffic and bussing concerns.

Warden Marcus Ryan stressed that the development was necessary and well-planned before being interrupted by outbursts from the crowd.

More information on the planned development can be found in yesterday's agenda.