Dozens of residents packed West 麻豆精选 council chambers Dec. 11 to voice concern over a massive condo development proposed in their neighbourhood.
Landvision Group is planning five four-storey buildings totalling 401 units at 2741 Auburn Road.
Over a 2.5-hour public hearing on the project residents from Terravita condos, which is next door and above the property, told council they are worried about traffic congestion, safety, environmental impacts and construction blasting.
鈥淲e are not against development and we understand there is a housing crisis,鈥� said Donalda Hunt, who represents a residents鈥� group. 鈥淲e still need to be respectful of the quality of life and safety of existing and new residents.鈥�
Opposition to the project came in the form of three petitions with 271 signatures as well as 21 individual submissions.
For the development to move forward road improvements are needed in the area, which is a particular concern for residents due to the proximity of Const. Neil Bruce Middle School and Highway 97.
One speaker noted that Landvision expects the build-out to take 10 years.
鈥淭his is 10 years of construction vehicles going in front of that school鈥ot to mention the additional traffic.鈥�
Staff told council that Central Okanagan Public Schools also had concerns about increased traffic around the school.
Road improvements include a roundabout at Daimler Drive and Auburn Road, restricting traffic at Old Okanagan Highway and Byland Road, and dual left turn lanes onto Highway 97 from Daimler Drive.
Landvision is proposing the approximately $1.7 million cost be split, with it paying 55 per cent and the city 45 per cent.
Kevin Bird, the owner of K West Homes which built Terravita, told council he didn鈥檛 understand how that could be allowed to happen.
鈥淚鈥檝e never been given that privilege of cost sharing. I鈥檝e always had to write the cheque. I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 fair to burden the taxpayer on this.鈥�
Other speakers said the developer should be bearing the entire cost of improvements.
The terrain between Terravita and the project site is a rocky, heavily sloped hillside, and many residents said they鈥檝e experienced rockfall on their properties several times and are concerned about blasting during construction.
鈥淚鈥檓 concerned that if they start dynamiting into that mountain the rest of the mountain might end up in my backyard or worse still in my living room,鈥� said one man who lives in a ground floor unit.
Speaking on behalf of Landvision, consultant Rachel Sansom, noted that blasting is an 鈥榓larming activity.鈥�
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 very well regulated by the blasting industry as well as their insurers,鈥� she added.
Other residents, including those not part of the Terravita property, voiced concerns about the impact of the project on wildlife and the environment.
Many felt a developer鈥檚 report was not detailed enough to address the risk to habitat, grasses, and trees on the hillside.
The original proposal for the site was for 220 units over three buildings. If the development is approved the condos will be available for rent or purchase.
鈥淭his project will help fulfill housing needs in the under-serviced condo and apartment market in West 麻豆精选,鈥� Sansom said.
Council is expected whether or not to approve the development at a future meeting.
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