17 homes planned for new development in Forrest

A new development for 17 homes in Forrest is being hailed as a positive addition by local stakeholders.

The Rural Municipality of Elton is set to award a contract to bidders to complete infrastructure work on the eastern side of Forrest. The work would allow the planned nine single-family homes and four duplexes to be built as Phase 3 of a project that dates back to the 1990s.

“To add another roughly dozen more families in there, family homes and stuff, it’ll make the community that much better. I think it’ll be a benefit for the whole municipality overall,” said Elton Reeve Ches Bollman.

Bollman said timing for this project makes sense, after consultations with the community two years ago came back with recommendations for homes for seniors, such as the duplexes. The absolute earliest homes will be built is next year, Bollman said.

“Hopefully, maybe next year, somebody will start to maybe develop. There’s still question marks up in the air about that,” Bollman said.

“It all depends on the infrastructure (getting) done, how fast it gets done and whatnot. So we’re hopeful … I wouldn’t want to say for sure,” he said about the timeline.

The existing neighbourhood consists of single-family homes.

“We’ve got a really nice community growing there now, and lots of young families and stuff. It’s quite an active community,” Bollman said. “It’s really attractive for people to come out.”

Michael Barrett, executive officer for the Brandon Area Realtors, said the development will help with the region’s housing shortage.

“Any new lots that are available to build and develop … helps address the housing shortage,” he said. “If you have more property available, it’s going to certainly impact the shortage that we see.”

He added: “More opportunities for housing development means more opportunity to swing that pendulum back towards a balanced market.”

The new development is in a good spot as a bedroom community of Brandon, Barrett said.

“It’s pretty desirable, it’s an easy commute. A lot of stuff does sell in that area fairly quickly usually, if it’s priced right.”

Barrett said while the single-family homes probably won’t be for first-time buyers, they will likely be for someone who has lived in a smaller home looking to upgrade. That upgrade would mean a smaller home would be left open for a first-time buyer.

The RM being involved with the development, Barrett said, is also another good sign for the development. He said it “sends a positive message.”

“When a municipality takes a lead on something, obviously they’re recognizing they have a role to play. I think they do.”

Elton chief administrative officer Shawna LeBlanc said the project is in council’s strategic plan to explore housing for seniors.

“That land … has always been earmarked for expansion of Forrest,” LeBlanc said. “The initial phase has been put in, so it’s not something new. It just takes a long time to develop.

“There’s been some provincial roadblocks that we’re trying to get through before the lots are sold,” she said.

LeBlanc didn’t say what those roadblocks were when asked.

A provincial spokesperson said the province “is not aware of any reason why there would be concerns with the process.” The province is part of the process to make sure the subdivisions happen properly and necessary licences are obtained.

The RM applied for 10 homes and two roads to be extended in July 2024, and the approval came just over a month later, the spokesperson said. The RM then upped the application to seven more lots, which was approved this January, just over three months later.

“The timelines are not unusual for a 17-lot subdivision with road extensions,” the spokesperson said. “This plan has progressed on the expected timeline.”

LeBlanc said the duplexes, which will be built on smaller lots than the single-family homes, are currently the “intent” of council. As an election is happening next October, the kinds of homes that are built could change, she noted.

LeBlanc said Phase 1 of the project happened in 1995.

The last phase of notable housing expansion in Forrest was around 11 years ago, according to Bollman.

As part of the construction, crews will install water mains, extend roads and complete drainage, among other work. McGregor Street and Tulloch Avenue are being extended.

Bollman said he hopes Mother Nature can help out so work can largely be done before winter.

“If the weather co-operates, well then, I think a lot of the work can be done this fall,” Bollman said.

» alambert@brandonsun.com