By Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

City of Cranbrook council chambers was overflowing last night with residents on hand for a public hearing on a rezoning application, later approved by council.

Seventeen 10^th Street South, 9^th Street South and area residents addressed council regarding Official Community Plan (OCP) Amendment Bylaw No. 3908 and Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3909, seeking to rezone a current wooded area/greenspace at 100-10^th Street South from low density to high density (R-3 to R-6).

The reason for the rezoning is for the property owner, Terry Segerty/Terrim Property Management Ltd. to develop a 24-unit apartment complex, though a R-6 zone allows for “a significantly higher number of units, subject to meeting all other zoning requirements,” as a city planning report noted.

The only person at the hearing to speak in favour of the rezoning was Segerty, who addressed council near the end of the hearing.

Among the concerns expressed by speakers during the near 90-minute hearing: drop in property values/investments at risk; increased traffic; parking problems; impacts on lifestyle; increase in noise; loss of habitat for neighbourhood deer; increase in crime; children’s safety; loss of sunshine; loss of greenspace; snow-clearing; and worries about the 24 units growing upwards to 60 units.

“I don’t think that is responsible. It is left wide open and that scares the hell about me,” said area resident Ken Bridge about the possibility of a larger complex, or complexes being built down the road. “I’m all about development but at what cost? That’s the problem,” he told council.

Segerty said he appreciates peoples’ concerns and tried to assuage concerns by noting the current market only dictates the construction of 20 units.

“Nobody overbuilds facilities with the hope somebody will rent,” he said, adding his research shows the city needs more variety in rental units, with its current 1.1% vacancy rate.

“From a planning perspective there are very few available locations within the city where higher densities can be accommodated. Benefits of density include creating a more vibrant community, add to the overall tax base which promotes additional amenities and infrastructure in the neighbourhood and city as a whole. In addition, density helps reduce sprawl and associated infrastructure costs,” noted a city planning report.

“Staff feels the OCP and rezoning application meets the objectives and intent of OCP policies for residential development. Specifically, the development represents an increase in density, the property is located within walking distance of two schools and a transit route, and the proposed site provides for open space.”

A petition of opposition was also presented to the city with signatures from 43 area residents

Prior to voting, council members expressed their thoughts on the rezoning.

“It’s not something council takes lightly,” said Coun. Ron Popoff, noting the issue of affordable housing is a B.C.-wide one.

“The likelihood is we are going to get more of this mix” of properties in the future, he added. “We have to be concerned going forward that we have the right growth in our community.”

Coun. Norma Blissett said she “appreciates the sentiments” of the speakers and that they have appreciated living next to a large vacant lot for so long.

“But times have changed” and the city must try and halt sprawl wherever possible.

“I really believe for Cranbrook to grow” that high density is needed, she said, noting she heard “a lot of assumptions” from speakers.

“It’s not a negative to have a mix of densities. That area already has that,” she said.

Coun. Danielle Eaton agreed that high-density development will become more important moving forward.

“We are experiencing growth” and high-density development increases the tax-base and reduces costs on the rest of taxpayers, she said. As for concerns about the project growing in size, she added: “I trust in this particular developer.”

Coun. Wes Graham said he sees pros and cons with the project but the city needs rental units.

“For the betterment of the community, we need space,” he said.

Mayor Lee Pratt said OCPs are prone to change overtime.

“An OCP is basically a shotgun approach (to planning) from 10,000 feet up. They are not written in stone and they can be changed,” he said.

Pratt said he is always speaking with outside business owners interested in re-locating and they always ask about accommodations for employees.

Additionally, he said he found much of the residents’ statements to be “not in my backyard” concerns.

Coun. Issac Hockley was the lone vote against the rezoning, noting the property has changed from R-1 to R-3 to R-6 over time and that is too much for those who have purchased homes in the area to have to take.

Lead image: It was standing room only – in the hallway outside the city council chambers for last night’s public hearing. Pictured, newly elected councillor Mike Peabody listens in – getting an idea of what it is all about following his Oct. 21 by-election victory. Ian Cobb/e-KNOW photos

---

Article Share

---