Meadows proposal moves ahead

Three decades after being released from the Agricultural Land Reserve for multi-family housing, a parcel of land on Meadows Drive may re-emerge as the site of a manufactured home subdivision.

The parcel, between Meadows Drive and the Okanagan River Channel and south of Willow Glen, has sat vacant and in search of a multi-family developer.

In a request to the town for the changes, the owners pointed out that they have been unable to attract a multi-family project developer for 25 years and that the 50-lot modular home proposal is “a land use that will work.”

The land was removed from the ALR in 1980 with the condition that it be developed for multi-family housing. There have been two previous proposals for development – in 1982 and 1996 – but neither proceeded.

A report from staff indicated that the owners have fulfilled their requirements in the process so far, including a public meeting and environmental and riverbank impact assessments.

As well, the owners have agreed to a three-metre public access path from Meadows Drive to the river.

Council on Monday approved in principle the proposal to alter the zoning and the Official Community Plan to allow a change in the development from town house and apartments to single-family modular homes.

The proposal will face a public hearing at the July 13 council meeting.