In a significant shift for a historic Windsor neighbourhood, a local developer has successfully gained approval to construct a townhouse complex, marking the end of a multi-year saga that began with a fiercely opposed condominium proposal.
From Condo Controversy to Townhome Approval
On Monday, January 5, 2026, Windsor's development and heritage standing committee gave the green light to a new plan for the vacant lot at the corner of Kildare Road and Devonshire Court. The proposal, submitted by Marko Agbaba of Agbaba Holdings Corp., calls for a two-storey building containing 24 townhouse units. This stands in stark contrast to the previously approved, and highly contentious, four-storey, 23-unit condo building for the same site.
The most notable difference this time was the complete absence of public opposition. No residents appeared as delegates or submitted written objections to the committee, a dramatic change from the hours-long council discussion in March 2022. At that time, 13 area residents passionately argued against the condo plan, even taking the fight to court in an unsuccessful attempt to quash the council-approved project.
A Developer and Community Find Common Ground
Marko Agbaba expressed his relief and satisfaction following the committee's decision. "I'm feeling fantastic. Probably the best part about it is no neighbours coming in for opposition. For a place like Devonshire Court, it's virtually impossible," Agbaba told reporters. He added, "To build something that makes the neighbours that happy is something pretty awesome."
The land in question was formerly occupied by St. George Anglican Church, which was demolished in 2016 after council approval. The original understanding was for three upscale homes to be built, a plan that later evolved into the controversial condo proposal. Residents had long argued that any development should respect the neighbourhood's character.
Ward 4 Councillor Mark McKenzie, who represents the area, credited the developer for listening to community concerns. "I'm happy it's moving forward. I'm happy that Mr. Agbaba listened to residents," McKenzie said. He noted that an open house held by the developer in the summer allowed residents to see the new drawings, which led to their acceptance. "Once they all saw the drawings, they said, 'You know what? This is much better. It fits the neighbourhood a lot better as well,'" McKenzie recounted.
Project Moves Forward with $12-13 Million Investment
With the rezoning approved, Agbaba estimates the project's value at between $12 and $13 million. He stated that his team is ready to break ground as soon as they receive the building permit from the City of Windsor, a process he anticipates will take three to four months.
The resolution highlights a case where revised planning and community engagement led to a compromise, allowing for densification in a historic area while addressing residents' core concerns about scale and suitability. The new townhome plan, with its lower profile, ultimately proved to be a palatable solution for all parties involved, paving the way for construction to begin without the friction of the past.
