COLCHESTER BAY - Updated to August 23, 2025
After a very contentious start in 2024, the Developer of the proposed Subdivision called Colchester Bay has submitted a revised layout for a 42% smaller project on the original property.
The new Colchester Bay developer (Colchester Bay Inc) has submitted preliminary drawings for a 278 unit subdivision at Dunn Rd and County Road 50. This is a significant drop in intensity from the 458 unit condo project that residents first got a glimpse of in the summer of 2024. The 2025 version of the Colchester Bay project is now primarily freehold vs condo with significantly fewer 3 storey apartment buildings. Note though, while the single family home and 3 storey apartment building numbers have dropped substantially, the number of townhomes and semi-detached dwellings have increased.
It is our opinion that the Developer realizes that the housing market has changed and that he is trying to reduce the purchasing costs of homes for buyers by scaling down the number of single family homes and significantly adding to the number of semi-detached and townhouse units.
Here’s a comparison between the 2024 and 2025 Colchester Bay Projects;
ZONING MAP FOR THE HAMLET OF COLCHESTER
The map above is a zoning map from the Town of Essex showing the purple area to the west of Dunn Rd which has been purchased by Horizon Development for the proposed Colchester Bay project. It now appears to be part of Colchester Bay Inc the organization which has provided the 2025 version of the Colchester Bay project. Note that this piece of property is currently used as farmland but decades ago was rezoned DR1.1. which is known as Development Reserve District 1.1 which typically means that it is ‘on hold’ until a change to the proper zoning is approved by Town Council. As it is on hold, the Developer is required to apply to Council to remove the ‘hold’ which the Town of Essex council has control over. This is where residents will have one of their opportunities to speak before council to ensure that the town does the ‘right’ thing. Be prepared for a struggle.
Analysis of the Proposed 2025 Version of Colchester Bay
This proposed ‘Conceptual Development Plan’ for Colchester Bay has been made available to Colchester Matters. It has substantially changed from the June 2024 version to reflect the following;
The overall number of units has dropped from 458 to 278 primarily due to the reduction in single family homes as well as 3 storey, 22 unit apartment buildings.
All 3 storey apartment buildings are now due West of the 4 homes on Dunn Rd effectively minimizing the privacy concerns of the Dunn Rd residents.
All 3 storey apartment buildings are on the interior of the subdivision vs around the periphery as in the 2024 version.
Substantially more Semi-detached and Townhomes are being added than in the June 2024 plan.
A large Stormwater Pond is designated to be installed, along with walking paths, at the Southwest corner of Dunn Rd & Cty Rd 50.
There appears to be slightly less woodlot compensation areas in the 2025 version.
The roundabout has been removed and is now a regular intersection.
No determination has been made at this point as to the total number of parking spaces allowed for.
Single Family dwelling frontage sizes vary from about 46’ to 57’.
The entire project is scheduled to be built in 4 stages. See drawing below.
All photos below are from the Dillon Engineering/Horizon Development presentation on June 6, 2024 (The Previous Design). Use these photos to get a general understanding of the building designs only. The number of units and placement of these units is completely changed in the 2025 version.
Typical Street View
Overview looking Southwest from Dunn Rd.
Typical 3 storey condo building
Typical Semi-Detached Homes Front View
Typical Townhouses
3 Storey Condo buildings in long row
Typical Semi-Detached Homes From Rear
Typical Single Family Homes