City council is supporting a proposal for the development of two 12-unit apartment buildings off 11th Avenue NE, west of the RCMP detachment.
The buildings are intended to go on two lots separated by 18th Street NE, designated Highway Service/Tourist Commercial in Salmon Arm’s official community plan, and zoned Single-Family Residential.
A public hearing was held last Monday on proposed amendments to re-designate the properties as Residential – High Density, and rezone them High Density Residential.
While no one took issue with the buildings, neighbouring residents who live on 11th, downhill from the proposed development, raised concerns about traffic and speed limits.
“I am very concerned about the traffic because I live right on the corner, and if I leave my lot three times a day, three times a day I’m taking my life in my hands because of cars flying around the corner there,” commented neighbourhood resident Dave Wood. “If you’re going to allow this zoning change, then I would suggest you also look very seriously at the speed limits along that road.”
Coun. Kevin Flynn said he was hopeful future residents would be more careful driving than those accessing the property if it had been developed as commercial.
“I understand the safety concerns and I share them and hopefully we can make some small changes to improve,” said Flynn.
Coun. Tim Lavery emphasized the need for rental accommodation in town, but adde he shared the concerns expressed regarding traffic speed and driver’s sight lines, noting there is vegetation that impacts those sight lines that he’d like the city to look at.