Original post on Steve’s Councillor Ward 2 Facebook page, December 6, 2025
I have always wanted to share information with residents, regardless of whether the news is good or bad.
In our Friday Files received yesterday, Council received a memo that advises of a settlement reached regarding the development at 184 Pinehurst Road (The corner of Pinehurst Road and Watts Pond Road). This development has been in discussion for many years. During both of my terms on Council, Marc and I, and Lukas and I have had discussions with the Developers and in those meetings I expressed my concerns about this many additional houses in Ward 2.
While the numbers are still shockingly high, the types of houses have changed (improved) due to changes in market demand and, I believe, some desire from the Developer to build some of what we need, rather than just what is most profitable.
Council did not make a decision on the application, which triggered the Developer appealing the Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By-law Amendment with the Ontario Land Tribunal, for Council’s failure to make a decision in a timely fashion. (They essentially took us to “court”).
Similar to the Golf Course Development several years ago (if my memory serves me accurately), and similar to most OLT appeal processes, the outcome is a Settlement. Despite the County having talented legal staff, I don’t recall ever seeing us win an appeal like this at the OLT, and I have seen the County spend a lot of money in legal fees, trying to work out the best solution for the Community. (Also check out this Hamilton Spectator article.)
As someone who has lived here almost 60 years, I personally share in the frustration at the idea of 900+ additional homes at the north end of Paris. That said, I have to acknowledge that this development will, over time, deliver some housing types that we need and in the more near future, it allows land for a new elementary school that we absolutely need. It also has to be stated that this development does fit within our settlement boundary, and is fundamentally aligned with the County’s Official Plan.
If you ever wondered why McDonald’s would move out to the edge of town, across from a corn field, this was likely a big contributing factor—this has been coming for a long time.
I predict that it will be several years before we see this development reach its full build out, but the school part of it will proceed fairly quickly. My understanding is that this development will be phased in over years, to allow the necessary time for infrastructure upgrades.
Below are presentation slides and images of the location and the development master plan that were presented to the Planning and Development Committee December 6, 2025. Also, below the images are links to media articles about the development plan.
Media Coverage
Paris Independent Article: Cedar North Development proposed for Pinehurst/Watts Pond Road , December 17, 2025
Brantford Expositor Article: ‘Shockingly high’ number of homes approved for new subdivision in Brant County , December 27, 2025
I encourage you to share this post, as my policy is: the more informed our community is, the better.