Lack of a public hearing and additional information for a townhouse development was an issue for a 麻豆精选 councillor at Monday鈥檚 (Mar. 4) meeting.
A developer has plans for six buildings with 33, three-bedroom units at 250, 270 and 280 Homer Road in Rutland.
Council gave initial consideration to rezoning the properties to allow the project to move forward.
While he liked the project, Coun. Charlie Hodge had questions and concerns about what it may look like.
鈥淚 guess it would help me to have an idea of where we鈥檙e going before I say yes to the zoning.鈥�
鈥淚 love the idea of 33 units,鈥� Hodge added. 鈥淏ut at what height and at what cost to the neighbourhood?鈥�
Staff noted there is a reluctance to provide a detailed look at the form and character of a development during the rezoning stage, as design plans can change over time.
鈥淭he land use is the important focus,鈥� said Doug Gilchrist, City Manager. 鈥淵ou want to have multi-family in this area to the degree that鈥檚 allowed in the zoning bylaw or not is the primary question for you.鈥�
Hodge added he wanted more information about the project.
鈥淲here do you draw the line on what we get to know and what we don鈥檛 get to know?鈥�
Hodge also had an issue that the project could be approved without a public hearing.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 know the height, we don鈥檛 know the size and the public won鈥檛 have a say. I have a problem with that.鈥�
New provincial legislation prohibits public hearings for residential housing developments that are consistent with a municipality鈥檚 Official Community Plan.
Several councillors spoke in favour of the development.
鈥淭his is a prime example of what the new housing legislation is meant to do,鈥� said Coun. Loyal Wooldridge. 鈥淲hich is to remove barriers to build infill housing without cumbersome processes.鈥�
Hodge did vote with the rest of council in giving initial consideration to rezone the properties.
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