By ROY WOOD

A proposal for a high-density housing development of up to 117 units just east and south of downtown made its first appearance before council Monday.

A request for re-zoning from “agricultural transition” to high-density residential was presented for the nearly three-hectare parcel northwest of the intersection of Co-op Avenue and Sawmill Road. The property is bounded on the east by the Okanagan River channel and on the south by the town works yard.

According to a report from planner Chris Garrish, the property has a long history of being used for horse pasture and contains one single detached house.

The proposed development would see a mix of fourplexes, townhouses and condominiums.

This use is in line with the Official Community Plan for the property, which designates “the preferred future land use of this property as being for high-density residential uses.”

Garrish’s report points out that the location of the property within the Okanagan River floodplain will require the homes to be built to floodplain specifications and at least seven and a half metres from the river channel.

The adjacency to the town works yard was also a concern in Garrish’s report and to some members of council. Councillor Petra Veintimilla suggested that some sort of barrier between the yard and the new residences would be necessary.

Garrish’s report noted the lack of buffering measures, but he assured council that it would be able to require such mitigation at later stages of the development process.

The report also recommended that the town require that pubic access to the river channel walkways and green spaces not be restricted.

Garrish said the project, if approved, would be phased and the first, eight-unit portion would be in the southwest corner.
The re-zoning amendment passed first and second reading and a public hearing is scheduled for May 9.