A public hearing on a major housing development in West 麻豆精选 had a rough start on Tuesday (Feb. 25) night.
The audience initially struggled to hear the presentation about 117 townhouses and duplex units planned for 2971 Gorman Road. City staff members and the project applicant鈥檚 representative were asked to speak up several times by Mayor Gord Milsom.
Council took questions from residents in attendance and over the phone, including one man who called in although he was at the hearing鈥攃ausing some confusion.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e the caller?鈥� Milsom asked, before instructing the man to come to the microphone. The man continued speaking from the back of the council chambers until the audience applauded and encouraged him to step forward.
鈥淭here is no need for clapping,鈥� Milsom said. 鈥淲e want to make sure everyone is comfortable addressing council.鈥�
Citing a lack of infrastructure in the area, Glenrosa resident Bill Vassar said the development was nonsense.
鈥淥ur water sucks out here, we have no sidewalks, we pay, pay, pay, pay taxes鈥攆or what? And this clown comes in to do this big build? No, no, I鈥檓 not going for it. And we鈥檙e not going for it.鈥�
Gilles Rouleau went door-to-door, speaking with his neighbours and gathering signatures on a petition opposing the project.
鈥淚f this development moves forward, we fear our community will lose its peaceful, rural feel,鈥� he said.
Several speakers voiced concerns about the lack of a secondary route in case of emergencies such as a wildfire, additional pressure on the storm and sanitary sewers and the power grid, a lack of amenities, and insufficient public transit.
鈥淚f you downsize, I think it will be a lot more acceptable than what you鈥檙e considering now,鈥� said resident Rick Scofield, who told council that taxpayers have had enough. 鈥淲e鈥檙e not getting our money鈥檚 worth. The salaries that are being paid for 40,000 people are insane鈥攜ou鈥檙e not worth it.鈥�
Two people spoke in favour of the project.
鈥淒evelopers have been stonewalled for far too long, I think. We鈥檝e got to open it up,鈥� said James McGill.
Resident Bobby Jones said the development would support economic and job growth, improve infrastructure, and provide new amenities. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also gonna strengthen our community.鈥�
Travis Tournier, the development manager for the project, told the hearing that the project proposes homes starting under $600,000.
鈥淲e hope that the multi-million-dollar storm sewer upgrade and the acceleration of the Glenrosa corridor study will help alleviate two of council鈥檚 biggest concerns and bring support to this application, ultimately providing more affordable homes to West 麻豆精选.鈥�
A staff report indicated that other developments in Glenrosa, at various stages of planning, could add up to 1,400 units to the neighbourhood over the next several years.
Council voted to deny property rezoning to allow the project to move forward, with Councillor Jason Friesen and Mayor Milsom opposed.
鈥淭hroughout our community, we just don鈥檛 have enough townhouses and duplexes,鈥� Milsom said. 鈥淭hey could provide more affordable housing for lower-income families and seniors. There鈥檚 a need there.鈥�
The developer can apply for rezoning again in six months.
