Neighbouring residents of a proposed new strata development at Armstrong’s Royal York Golf Course have voiced their concerns.
More than 30 people – the majority of who live on Bradley Drive – crammed into Armstrong council chambers Tuesday for a public hearing on an official community plan and zoning bylaw that would change the land use designation of a 3.045 hectare portion of the subject property from recreational commercial to multi-family residential, and from the recreational commercial zone to a residential mixed density cluster housing zone.
The changes are being considered to allow the construction of 46 bareland strata units (30 single-family homes and eight duplexes).
Bareland strata means the development’s access road is owned by the people who own the lots, and the lots are maintained individually by the owners.
Developer Patrick Place was on hand for the public hearing as were the applicants, the York family.
The proposal also calls for parkland dedication of five per cent of the land south of the proposed development.
Bradley Drive resident Dan Rosler bought his home in 2006 and when his family sits on their deck, they have a view of a “nice green valley and (golf course) fairways eight, nine, one and part of three.” The development, he said, will take that away.
“This proposal you have now will have three rows of buildings between my house and green belt of the golf course,” said Rosler. “I’m concerned about the devaluation of my property. The view was considered part of the value when I purchased the house. Every house along the north side of the street will have the same situation.”
Len Eddy also spoke about his property dropping in value if the development goes ahead, something he believes is a foregone conclusion.
“I am convinced this development will devalue my property as well as drastically affect the sale of my home in the future,” said Eddy. “The writing is on the wall as it is just a matter of time before I will be staring into someone’s backyard rather than a golf course.”
Ellen Wood would be in favour of the development if it was a 55-plus facility. As of now, she said, there’s no age bracket and that concerns her.
Wood, who lives in a rancher-style home, also expressed concerns about the height of the proposed homes and duplexes.
Other areas of concern expressed to council about the development included emergency vehicle access, road size, pine beetle trees, RV parking, storm water collection and sewer concerns.
Mayor Chris Pieper said the bylaw would not be proceeding until after staff prepared a report on the public hearing.
““We will ask staff to review all of the points brought up tonight and bring that back in a report so if we do go forward or it doesn’t go forward, we understand your views, aspirations and comments,” he said.
The report is expected to take two-to-four weeks to complete before it is brought to council.
