The proposed Ripley Market Square development is going ahead.
Huron-Kinloss Council approved two zoning amendments at last nights Planning Advisory Committee meeting that will permit the construction of the 10 million dollar mixed residential and commercial development.
About 40 people showed up at the public meeting at the Ripley-Huron Community Centre.
Developer David Brown says the first phase will be to restore the old Granary building and turn it into about 150 residential units.
He says the next phase would either be building the hotel and restaurant or the market terrace and suites but is leaning towards the hotel.
Brown says it is a very unique project and it will create jobs and housing.
He says the objective is to make the Village of Ripley the destination for people to work and live.
Mayor Mitch Twolan says Brown grew up in Ripley and still has friends and relative living in the village.
He says Brown didn’t like to see the buildings deteriorate and started buying up the old properties.
Twolan says most of the concerns from residents about drainage and Ripley-Huron Fire Chief Doug Martyn on water supply for fire fighting will be addressed through site plan control.
He says they will have engineers overseeing the design of the buildings to make sure the sewers can handle the amount of water.
Twolan says he has not personally received any complaints or opposition and believes everyone in Ripley is behind the project.
He commends Brown and everyone who is involved with this project.
Brown expects to have shovels in the ground sometime next year but he says they still have a lot leg work to do before they get going.