Townhome project in Ajax breaks ground a year early thanks to accelerated approvals
Published November 11, 2024 at 12:49 pm
A local developer has taken advantage of new provincial government rules that have expedited approvals for housing projects to get a residential development in Ajax to the launch pad in just five weeks.
Marshall Homes has been able to work with the Town of Ajax to get groundbreaking on their ‘Time’ stacked townhouse project in record time and triple the scope as well.
The original proposal for the urban townhouse development on Rossland Road, between Ravenscroft Road and Church Street, was for 27 homes. The project is now 81 homes.
Craig Marshall, Founder and President of Marshall Homes, thanked the town and Mayor Shaun Collier for “incredible support” to getting the project up and running. “Their willingness to collaborate has allowed us to bring much-needed homes to market, mitigating the usual delays and extra costs that come with lengthy approval processes, which in turn allows us to pass savings down to homeowners. The urgency of more homes is getting through to all levels of governmental authority and more importantly to the people that work there. It is infectious.”
By reducing the approval process by 93 per cent and completing the development proposal in just five weeks — compared to the typical 18–24-month time frame — Marshall Homes has been able to shave $20,000 in interest and consultation savings off the price of the homes, which start in the low $600,000s.
“Through initiatives like the ‘Time’ project, we are demonstrating how effective collaboration between government and private developers can lead to innovative solutions for housing shortages,” noted Collier. “We remain committed to supporting projects that not only provide homes but also contribute to the overall well-being of our communities.”
The Time project, designed by Hunt Design Associates, features urban bungalows and two-level townhomes that prioritize accessibility, with some with stair-free layouts.
The development fills a critical gap in the local housing supply but Marshall believes it will also serve as a model for future projects.
