A residential development proposed for Willoughby that would see just three out of 225 significant trees retained, has been sent back to the drawing board.
When considering first and second reading on April 23, Township council unanimously voted to instead send the proposal back to staff to look at saving more trees.
The application, by Coastland Engineering & Surveying, is to rezone 6.49 acres of land at 7070, 7080 and 7086 206 Street, and 7045, 7077 and 7081 207 Street, to build 39 new single family homes.
While the northern lots allow for density of six units per acre, the southern lot is designated ‘Residential Bonus Density 2’, meaning the developer can increase the density to 15 units per acre if land is dedicated for tree protection.
Although the bonus density is not a requirement, several councillors said they would like the developer to protect more trees on the property.
Coun. Kim Richter thought the application shouldn’t be considered, as the intent of the bonus density provision is to protect stands of trees. She moved the referral back to staff.
“Why would we even have that (bonus density) in the plan?” Richter asked.
“We should just tell them, ‘No, that’s our plan, you need to live with our plan.'”
Township CAO Mark Bakken explained that the Township already spoke to the developer about the bonus density, and that council could instead ‘direct’ staff to increase the density to preserve the trees.
Coun. Bob Long said he would like to see a report that details the condition of the trees and the rationale for why the developer wants to remove them.
Coun. Petrina Arnason agreed, adding that without an arborist’s report, it’s hard to speculate about the intent. She said she would like to see if some of the homes can be relocated and clustered.
Coun. Blair Whitmarsh shared the same concerns about the trees, and said the proposed 185 replacement trees “doesn’t seem adequate” when compared to other development applications they have seen. He also had concerns with the width of the roads, and the proposed lane through the development.
“For a number of reasons, I would prefer to see this go back to staff,” he said.
Mayor Jack Froese said that, generally, he likes applications to move forward to public hearing for input, but also agreed to send this one back to staff.
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