The Sol Aqua development proposed for Campbell Road is almost a done deal.

West 琉璃神社 council gave third reading to residential and water use bylaws amendments and support to ALR non-farm use for access to the marina facility which is part of the project. The amendments were detailed under Option 1 of four options presented by city staff. Option 2 contained the same amendments, except that it did not support the non-farm use. The vote was unanimous for Option 1.

Conditions include a maximum of 60 townhomes, restricting the development pending completion of a second emergency exit route and fire mitigation measures, and that traffic and pedestrian improvements along Campbell Road be identified and completed. Mayor Gordon Milsom said he was pleased to see the restrictions as recommended by staff.

鈥淚 am in favour of the low-density multi-family land use designation,鈥� said Mayor Gordon Milsom. 鈥淚 believe that duplexes and townhouses would suitable for this neighbourhood, just as it鈥檚 suitable for many other neighbourhoods throughout the city of West 琉璃神社. We need more housing supply. More supply leads to more housing options which will eventually provide more attainable housing.鈥�

While he did vote for Option 1, Councillor Doug Findlater said he was in favour of Option 2, citing concerns over the marina and non-farm aspects of the project.

鈥淚鈥檇 like to take a more minimalist approach and leave the marina alone,鈥� explained Findlater. 鈥淲e actually heard a disproportionate amount of unhappiness about the marina at the public hearing regarding water quality, noise and nuisance issues.鈥�

Findlater pointed out that the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) will have the final say regarding the non-farm use component.

鈥淭hey count votes on these things and I鈥檇 like them to have a clear choice so they can use their technical know-how rather than their political sense.鈥�

Councillor Jayson Zilkie noted the project has been substantially scaled back several times from its original proposal.

鈥淚t is part of being in a city people want to live in, and with private land, it鈥檚 their right to develop it,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e don鈥檛 always want development around us when there isn鈥檛 any, but it鈥檚 giving a new family an opportunity to move to this area. I think it鈥檚 important we move this forward.鈥�

Mayor Milsom added that in researching the history of the proposal through council reports, he discovered much work had been done regarding emergency planning and wildfire mitigation in the area.

鈥淭his was one of the main concerns of residents in the Casa Loma neighbourhood, the fact there is one primary road in and out.鈥�

Milsom also pointed out wildfire mitigation work has been done or is being done by the city, Regional District Central Okanagan and Westbank First Nation, and that a number of initiatives have been undertaken by resident and community groups to better prepare for emergencies.

City staff will be discussing the next steps with the developer.

Read More:

Read More:

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.