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Plans proceed after seven-year delay

A rezoning proposal in Canoe that went to public hearing in 2008 has been given final approval by a majority of city council

A rezoning proposal in Canoe that went to public hearing in 2008 has been given final approval by a majority of city council.

Two councillors, Louise Wallace Richmond and Tim Lavery, were alone in voting against final reading at council’s May 25 meeting.

The rezoning affects .4 hectares at 7200 52nd NE, fronting 52nd and 53rd streets NE in Canoe. It changes the zoning from R-1, single family residential, to R-4, medium density residential.

Although the original 2008 application also included an official community plan (OCP) amendment from low density residential to medium density residential, that amendment is no longer required because the city’s OCP was updated in 2011 and the property in question was redesignated medium density residential.

Also being requested was an OCP amendment to have an east-to-west sidewalk through the property.

The 2008 application from J. Pannu and Plett Homes & Developments Inc., represented by Cal Harvey, was to accommodate a subdivision of 12 bareland strata lots.

Wallace Richmond said she would like to see another public hearing on the application because the people who would be affected by the development have changed substantially from seven years ago.

“My sincere preference would be that the neighbourhood get the opportunity to go back to public hearing so they could just be aware of the situation…,” she said. “It’s not that I’m against it… I think it would come as a great surprise to neighbours and residents.”

Carl Bannister, the city’s chief administrative officer, said council would need to vote against final reading, make a separate motion to rescind third reading and then go back to public hearing.

Couns. Kevin Flynn, Alan Harrison and Ken Jamieson said they understand Wallace-Richmond’s concerns, but particularly now that the proposal is consistent with the OCP, they thought another public hearing would not be necessary.

Harrison noted the biggest concern he heard at the 2008 hearing was that people didn’t want mobile homes. He said the developer has agreed mobile homes won’t be part of the development.

City staff explained the developer has registered a covenant that prohibits modular homes. It’s expected the property will be divided into eight to 10 lots.

Mayor Nancy Cooper also voted in favour.

Coun. Tim Lavery said his thinking is similar to Wallace Richmond’s so he would vote against final reading.

Coun. Chad Eliason was absent.

 



Martha Wickett

About the Author: Martha Wickett

came to Salmon Arm in May of 2004 to work at the Observer. I was looking for a change from the hustle and bustle of the Lower Mainland, where I had spent more than a decade working in community newspapers.
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