A proposed residential development in the heart of Essex is starting an important conversation that I think a lot more communities across Windsor-Essex are going to be having over the next few years.

The proposal, brought forward by Lankor Horizons Development Inc., would redevelop the former Home Hardware property off Wilson Ave. near Talbot Street in Essex Centre. The plans include a six-storey apartment building with 96 residential units along with three townhouse buildings containing another 30 units, for a total of 126 homes.

For a smaller municipality like Essex, that is a meaningful project. And honestly, whether people love the proposal or hate it, I think it highlights a much bigger issue that towns across Ontario are wrestling with right now.

Where should growth happen?

Do we continue expanding outward onto farmland and the edges of communities? Or do we start adding more housing inside existing urban areas where roads, water, sewer infrastructure and amenities already exist?

That is really the core of this debate.

Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy commented that Essex is traditionally a slower growth municipality, but also acknowledged that the province is continuing to push municipalities to build more housing. She also pointed out that this site is already hardscaped and not additional green space being paved over.

From a planning perspective, that matters.

At the same time, it is understandable why some residents may have concerns. Six storeys is taller than what many people are used to seeing in Essex. Questions around traffic, parking, stormwater capacity, density and neighbourhood character are all reasonable discussions to have.

But these conversations are no longer just “big city” issues.

Housing affordability, population growth and housing shortages are now affecting smaller communities across Windsor-Essex too. As more people get priced out of larger urban centres, demand naturally starts pushing into surrounding towns and municipalities.

Personally, I think communities that plan growth thoughtfully are going to be in a much stronger position long term than communities that simply resist all change.

That does not mean every project should automatically get approved. It also does not mean residents should not ask hard questions. But I do think it is important to have realistic conversations about what the future of housing in Windsor-Essex is going to look like.

Because if the region continues growing, housing has to go somewhere.

The Town of Essex is holding a special meeting to discuss the proposal and consider amendments to the official plan and zoning bylaw. It will definitely be interesting to see the public response and where council ultimately lands on the project.

Curious what you think about this one.

Is this smart growth for Essex? Too much density? The right location? Not enough parking? A sign of what is coming across Windsor-Essex?

Share this article with someone from Essex or Windsor-Essex because this is exactly the type of local development conversation that is going to shape our communities over the next decade.