A developer is once again eyeing a property on Banks Crescent for a housing development.
In late 2018, a development application from Lark Enterprises Ltd. was received for a 38-lot subdivision for the property at 13610 Banks Cres.
This application requires an Official Community Plan and zoning amendment, changing the Official Community Plan designation from Agriculture (A) to Low Density Residential (intensification) (LDR(i)) and the zoning from Agricultural Small Acreage (A1) to Residential Single Detached Intensive (RSD1(i)).
The development proposal is for a fee-simple 38-lot subdivision, with primary access from Banks Crescent.
In order to proceed with this development, access to 13500 Banks Crescent, currently owned by the province, will need to be ensured as there is no other access to this property because of the steep slopes.
David Pady, manager of planning for the municipality, said the proposal at present is at the concept stage now. The two-page introductory report presented at the council meeting on Monday was for information only.
However, members of council expressed their concerns about this application.
This is the second time Lark Enterprises has approached the municipality about a development on this property.
Coun. Erin Carlson, who voted against the earlier application in 2018, said the new concept is not much better and described the residential development concept as “unappealing.”
The earlier application, before council in 2017 and 2018, was for permission to construct a 424-unit seniors care facility on the same property.
That proposal received considerable opposition from the community, including more than 3,000 names on a petition opposing the development.
In February, 2018, council defeated the application in a 5-2 decision.
The two council members who supported the application — then Mayor Peter Waterman and Coun. Janet Peake — are no longer at the council table. Waterman did not seek re-election and Peake was defeated in her mayoral bid.
The five council members who voted against the development are all back at the council table.
The resolution to receive the information and for municipal staff to process the applications was approved unanimously on Monday evening.
The next step in the approval process will be for the application to be presented to the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Advisory Planning Commission.
To report a typo, email:news@summerlandreview.com.
news@summerlandreview.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
