By David Judd
A large new subdivision off Dover Mills Road in northeast Port Dover is moving closer to construction eight years after it was first announced.
The 160-unit Dover Mills subdivision could start as early as this fall or next spring, Sam Bunting of Prominent Homes told the Maple Leaf.
The 55-acre project, formerly owned by Eggink Homes, was announced in March 2017.
But work has been delayed.
Moratorium in 2019
- In 2019, Norfolk County imposed a moratorium on most new construction until Port Dover has more municipal water available.
Upgrades being completed at the Nelson Street water treatment plant are expected to give Dover Mills a green light soon.
Archeological studies.
- Archeological studies were extended after finding Indigenous artifacts.
A two-acre archeological site is off-limits to development. The rest of the project can move forward.
OLT approval in June 2021
- Norfolk County and Eggink Homes took years to agree on planning details, a process slowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which arrived locally in 2020.
The Ontario Land Tribunal heard arguments by video in May 2020 and approved a settlement in June 2021.
As part of its ruling, the tribunal dismissed neighbours’ concerns about traffic.
Prominent Homes recently bought the Dover Mills property from the Eggink family.
The development will have about 160 homes, mostly single-family and a few semi-detached, Mr. Bunting said in an interview.
Prices could start between $800,000 and $900,000.
Construction in two or three phases could start this fall or next spring, before or after municipal water is allocated.
Mr. Bunting last Tuesday asked county councillors to allow four residential lots in an area that the Egginks had asked be changed to open space.
The four lots would generate $500,000 in property taxes over 20 years, Mr. Bunting said.
Councillors, including Mayor Amy Martin, Port Dover Coun. Adam Veri and Charlotteville Coun. Chris Van Paassen, sympathized with Mr. Bunting’s request to allow four building lots but held off voting until planning staff reports at a future meeting.
Coun. Van Paassen argued against creating small parks that get little use.
Instead of taking small parcels of land from developers, Norfolk should take cash and build big parks with playground equipment and other amenities, he said.
Parkland is not the best use for the four lots, Coun. Veri said in an interview.
Councillors want streets with houses, not a little park that won’t get used, Coun. Veri said.
Dover Mills subdivision can be served by a walking path around a stormwater retention pond and parks at Sunninghill, St. Cecilia’s School, the Port Dover Arena and Silver Lake Park, Mr. Bunting told councillors.
Neighbours Don Malpass and Dr. Stephen Maltais disputed this claim.
The subdivision’s side of Port Dover has no useful parkland for children, Dr. Maltais said.
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Originally published April 9, 2025
