South Windsor just saw an important planning decision.

City council has officially approved the rezoning for the former St. James Anglican Church site on Roseland Drive East. The church has already been demolished, and the 1.25 acre property is now set to become a 16 unit townhouse development.

For anyone who lives in Roseland or follows Windsor,Ontario real estate closely, this is a meaningful shift.

What’s Being Built?

The approved plan allows for:

• Two semi-detached dwellings with four total units
• Four townhouse buildings with 12 total units
• Attached garages and private driveways for each unit

The project is being led by Davide Petretta of Petcon Realty Corp., who lives across the street from the site. That detail matters. This is not an absentee developer dropping density into a neighbourhood and walking away. This is someone who will see the finished product every single day.

There are still some planning steps to complete, but the major hurdle, rezoning, is now behind them.

Why This Site Was Always Going to Change

The church first opened in the early 1950s and held its final service in October 2023. By the time it hit the market in early 2024 for just under $1 million, the property included the church building, parking lot, green space, and a detached home.

But once a building reaches the end of its functional life, something eventually replaces it. Leaving a deteriorating or vacant property in place does not strengthen a mature neighbourhood.

That is the reality many established areas in Windsor are now facing.

The Debate Around Infill in South Windsor

Not surprisingly, the proposal drew opposition. Some neighbours raised concerns about traffic, on street parking, renters versus homeowners, and potential impacts on property values.

Those conversations are common. Any time infill development is proposed in an established neighbourhood like Roseland, emotions surface.

From a planning perspective, city administration confirmed the project aligns with provincial planning policy. The broader objective is clear across Ontario. Increase housing supply, especially in areas that already have roads, transit access, schools, and infrastructure in place.

Sixteen units is not a high rise tower. It is moderate, ground oriented density in a neighbourhood that is already built out.

What This Means for Windsor Ontario Real Estate

South Windsor remains one of the most established and desirable areas in the city. Strong schools, mature streetscapes, and proximity to key corridors keep demand steady.

Projects like this reflect a larger trend. Windsor is slowly transitioning from expansion at the edges to smarter redevelopment within existing neighbourhoods. That shift is not dramatic, but it is happening.

When underused land is replaced with thoughtfully designed housing, it supports long term neighbourhood stability. It also adds inventory in a market that continues to deal with supply constraints.

You do not have to love every project to understand the direction housing policy is moving.

This is how change looks in real time.

Final Thoughts

The Roseland Drive East redevelopment is a clear example of how local planning decisions shape South Windsor. It replaces a vacant site with new housing. It aligns with provincial policy. And it reflects the ongoing conversation around infill and density in Windsor Ontario.

Whether you support it or question it, these are the types of projects that will define how our city grows over the next decade.

If you live in Roseland, South Windsor, or care about Windsor real estate and development, share this article with someone who should be paying attention. Local decisions matter.