A proposed townhouse development adjacent to Okanagan Golf Course has landed in the rough.
Calgary-based Carlisle Group wants to build seven townhouse units at 3179 Via Centrale. Several area residents who spoke at a council public hearing on Tuesday (Jan. 21) voiced concern about off-site parking, and increased traffic and density if the project were approved. Carlisle Group General Manager Jim Mackey pointed out the original development proposed 20 units.
Parking was a key issue for council, particularly the inclusion of tandem parking鈥攚here two vehicles park one behind the other in a garage, rather than side-by-side.
Tandem parking is allowed anywhere in the city within developments of six units or less. Developments of seven or more are only permitted in urban centres. The change was made in 2019 as residents in these areas are not as likely to be car-dependent.
鈥淲hat we鈥檝e seen over time is that there are continual conflicts over tandem parking even with people who are living in the townhomes,鈥� Councillor Loyal Wooldridge pointed out.
The proposal included tandem parking for six of the seven units, with additional parking on unit driveways. However, the irregularly shaped lot limited the final unit to just one off-street parking space.
Coun. Rick Webber pointed out that some area residents are using the applicant鈥檚 lot for overflow parking.
鈥淚f they don鈥檛 have enough parking in their developments, that isn鈥檛 the applicant鈥檚 problem 鈥� it鈥檚 the nearby resident鈥檚 problem,鈥� he added. 鈥淭hey have too many cars for their developments.鈥�
However, Webber opposed tandem parking. Via Centrale is a private road and parking is not enforced by city bylaw.
Another concern was the final unit's driveway, which faces the intersection of Via Centrale and a lane. Coun. Gord Lovegrove flagged safety concerns due to traffic, and sight lines. However, staff reported no major safety issues following a review by the city鈥檚 engineering department. A suggestion was made to restrict parking within 10 meters of the driveway.
Council voted against approving a development permit. Councillors Mohini Singh and Maxine DeHart were not present at the public hearing. Mayor Dyas favoured moving forward.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 obviously the benefit of us looking at it through different lenses,鈥� he added. 鈥淏ut I think there is a lot of value in what has been put before us by the applicant this evening.鈥�
Carlisle Group must revise its plans and return to council if it wishes to proceed with the development.
