By ROY WOOD

A proposal for an 18-duplex subdivision in the old gravel pit north of the Elks Hall received preliminary approval from Osoyoos council Monday along with a requirement for the developer to host a “public open house” to inform neighbors about the plans.

The developer is seeking changes to the Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning bylaws to allow for lower density than is currently mandated on the 2.58-hectare site.

Two earlier plans for the parcel would have seen a high-density townhouse development.

But, according to a report to council from senior planner Dilys Huang, “various factors, such as local market conditions and construction costs,” have convinced the owner to pursue the lower density idea.

The so-called “down-zoning” of the land in question is not something that town staff would normally recommend. But planning director Alain Cunningham told council, “Two developments before this, both high density, just were untenable. … The market doesn’t support them.”

Before the first of the two townhouse proposals were approved, the land was zoned for single-family residential like the areas to the south and east.

Councillor CJ Rhodes said he is worried about the impact of the development on the neighbors.

“Braeburn Place is a quiet street. I’m concerned about the impact of on the people who live there because of the volume of traffic,” he said.

“One hundred per cent of the traffic would go through the one entrance on Braeburn.”

Mr. Cunningham said the planning department is “mindful of the concerns” about increased traffic. He said the idea of having the developer host the open house is primarily to address neighborhood concerns around the issue.

According to Ms Huang’s report, the subdivision meets several objectives of the OCP, including:

• Facilitating sufficient choices among different housing types;
• Minimizing land-use conflicts between existing and new residential development; and
• Encouraging duplexes as a lower-cost housing option.

Ms. Huang said the proposed duplexes would be more compatible with the neighboring single family homes than the earlier townhouse proposals.

Council voted first and second readings to the OCP and zoning amendments and to instruct the developer to conduct, pay for and advertise the open house.

After that, council will set a date for a public hearing on the amendments.