Courtenay council has approved a Nov. 16 deadline for responses for an alternate approval process (AAP) to obtain approval to borrow money to upgrade the 5th Street Bridge. The project is slated for construction in 2021. Council can adopt a borrowing bylaw unless 10 per cent (2,017) of voters are opposed. The deadline to receive responses is Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m.
Mission Heights proposal
Council approved second reading on an application to build 137 residential units at 2700 Mission Rd. near the hospital and college. The three-component development is comprised of 28, two-storey townhomes, a three-storey, 72-unit apartment building, and a 37-unit apartment building up to three storeys high. The townhomes are proposed to be strata units offered at market value. The 72-unit apartment is intended to be market rental units. The 37-unit apartment will be below market, long-term rental units offered through an agreement with BC Housing.
A public hearing will be held before council considers third reading.
No new nodes
Council approved a staff recommendation to reject proposed bylaw amendments that would enable 3L Developments to build houses near Stotan Falls. The company has modified its proposal from 1,100 to 780 units. Nevertheless, the regional district says the amendments are inconsistent with the Regional Growth Strategy.
“It is the opinion of staff that a new settlement node would be inconsistent with the general growth management principle of the RGS, which is to focus growth in the municipal areas and the existing settlement nodes of Union Bay, Saratoga and Mt. Washington prior to creating new nodes or expanding municipal boundaries into the settlement expansion areas,” a report states.
Market needs new space
The Comox Valley Farmers’ Market has appealed to council to help the non-profit find a semi-permanent space for its fall and winter markets. Coronavirus constraints are preventing the market from operating at the Native Sons Hall from mid-October to early-April. One idea is to close the parking lot between the hall and the Sid Williams Theatre to expand the market outdoors. Staff will provide council with a report in October about the request.
Farmers’ markets have been identified as an essential service.
