A development proposal for the eastern edge of Promontory is coming back before council with reduced density on larger lots.
The rezoning application for property on Rexford Drive was sent back to staff for revision by council last June.
An online petition titled “Jinkerson residents against further development” was launched by Bradley William, a resident of Promontory. It had more than 80 signatures at press time.
“This community was not designed appropriately to support another 200+ homes,” wrote William. The road is “too narrow,” and Promontory school is at capacity.
However, the latest proposal is now calling for single-family homes on larger lots rather than duplexes, said Tyler Dueck, vice president of project development for Premier Pacific Group.
They’re calling the Rexford Drive development, The Perch at Jinkerson Vistas.
“When it came before council last time around, we saw that some of the concerns were about density,” said Dueck. “So we’ve worked closely alongside city staff to come up with something more in line with residents’ concerns.”
Other concerns cited by residents included retaining walls, esthetics, drainage and more. One Bailey Road resident said the work already done had created water issues on his farm.
Water runoff issues will be addressed with the construction of a detention tank, as well as gutters and perimeter drains which will improve drainage at the site, said Dueck.
The developers were slated to host a public open house, ahead of the rezoning, to discuss the project with area residents at Promontory elementary on Feb. 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The developers do want to be good neighbours, he said.
“We’ve been in the neighbourhood for a decade now,” he said, referring to Jinkerson Vistas, which has been developed in four phases.
The rezoning for Rexford Drive is set for March 7, with the builder now looking at constructing 77 single family home units rather than the original proposal for just over 100 duplexes.
They’ve also gone over the proposal with geo technical engineers and civil engineers.
“We’ve been examining the hillside for any issues and are quite happy to know we’re on top of very good ground,” said Dueck.
The rezoning was originally for a CD (comprehensive development) zone, but now that will being abandoned, as the revisions fit within zoning requirements.
So the proposed zoning changes, according to the staff report include rezoning portions of the subject property from an R4 (Low Density Multi-Family Residential) Zone, an R (Rural) Zone, and an RSV1 (Limited Use Reserve) Zone to an R3 (Small Lot One Family Residential) Zone, according to the staff report, and, to rezone portions from an R (Rural) Zone and an R4 (Low Density Multi-Family Residential) Zone to an RSV1 (Limited Use Reserve) Zone, be given second reading, as amended, and, that a Public Hearing be called for March 7.
Some undeveloped areas will remain in a natural state, under the RSV1 zoning designation, and a little section will be for low density multi-family for future town house development, with the bulk shifting from R4 to R3 zoning.
