A proposed 23-unit townhouse development in Bowmanville is facing questions from nearby residents over drainage, environmental features and pedestrian safety along Concession Road 3.
The Bowmanville development is proposed for 2658 Concession Road 3, near Liberty Street North.
GHD Limited has submitted the applications on behalf of Lack Realty Appraisers and Consultants Inc., seeking zoning and subdivision approvals for 11 front-loaded townhouses and 12 dual-frontage townhouse units.
The 23 homes would be served by a private laneway on a site measuring approximately 0.49 hectares, or 1.21 acres.
The Municipality of Clarington says the proposal conforms to its Official Plan for the area, but the applications remain under review.
Residents raise drainage and flooding concerns
Some neighbouring residents raised concerns during the planning process about water movement across and around the property.
Resident Rick James told councillors that a tributary runs through land near the proposed development and said wet conditions have historically affected how surrounding farmland can be used.
James also pointed to a previous flooding incident at a nearby property following heavy rainfall and argued that careful inspection of the site’s drainage features is needed before development proceeds.
Those concerns have not been established as findings that the development would cause flooding.
The applicant has submitted several technical studies for municipal review, including an Environmental Impact Study, stormwater management report, Water Balance Assessment and geotechnical and hydrogeological documentation.
CLOCA and municipal staff to examine water features
Clarington planner Shrija Vora said municipal staff intend to examine the property to better understand its environmental characteristics.
The review is expected to involve the municipality’s staff ecologist along with representatives from the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority.
According to the source report, officials are particularly interested in determining the nature of water features on the property and whether a wetland extension or other feature requires protection.
The municipality’s official project information also shows that an Environmental Impact Study, erosion and sediment control plan, grading plan and tree inventory have been submitted as part of the application.
Pedestrian safety on Concession Road 3 questioned
Road safety emerged as another concern.
Area resident Melanie Czajko told councillors that Concession Road 3 lacks sidewalks near the proposed site and raised concerns about children potentially having to walk alongside traffic.
She cited vehicle speeds, traffic volumes, the road shoulder and drainage infrastructure as factors that can make pedestrian travel difficult.
A Traffic Impact Brief is among the technical material submitted by the applicant and being considered through the municipal review.
Municipal staff have also indicated that relevant agencies, including school boards and CLOCA, are circulated on development applications when their areas of responsibility are involved.
Proposal has not been approved
The public discussion should not be interpreted as a decision approving or rejecting the Bowmanville development.
The Aug. 19 meeting was intended to gather public feedback as part of the planning process.
According to the source report, councillors initially debated how the application should proceed and ultimately referred the proposal back to staff with direction that significant attention be given to the number of units and resident safety.
Deputy CAO of Planning and Infrastructure Darryl Lyons also reminded council that the site’s existing Official Plan designation already contemplates development.
Further technical review is therefore expected before staff return with a recommendation and council considers a final planning decision.
Clarington continues review of 23 townhouses
Residents can continue following the application through Clarington’s current development proposals.
The municipal files are ZBA2026-0012 for the zoning amendment and S-C-2026-0004 for the draft plan of subdivision.
The key issues moving forward will include whether the proposed 23-unit layout appropriately addresses stormwater and environmental conditions, and whether pedestrian and traffic concerns raised by neighbouring residents can be resolved through the planning process.
For now, the proposal remains under municipal review and no final approval has been granted.
