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Rezoning approved for town-home project
City of Cranbrook council last night approved the rezoning of a 2.5 acres property on 4th Street South, adjacent to St. Mary’s School, from R-1 – Single Family Residential to R-5 – Medium Density Multi Family Residential to facilitate the construction of a 23-unit multi-family town-home project.
Official Community Plan and Zoning Amendment Bylaws No. 3915 and 3916 received third and final readings by council Nov. 20.
Noting much of the application is supported in the city OCP, a city administration report notes: “The applicants are proposing developing a mix of townhouse style buildings of six to eight dwelling units per building totaling 23 units.”
“From a planning perspective there are limited locations within the city where higher densities can be accommodated that are within amenities such as schools and transit routes. Benefits of higher density include: contributing to more vibrant neighbourhoods and community, availability of a variety of housing types and tenure, adds 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,” the city report detailed.
While the application is for 23 units total, the city administrative report notes “based on a parcel area calculation only (0.58ha after park and road dedication) the maximum allowable density on the site would be approximately 34 units.”
The city received 12 letters detailing concerns and opposition, including one from former city chief administrative officer Wayne Staudt, who suggested council “should respect the trust its residents have bestowed in them in the OCP which expresses the wishes of the whole community. If the OCP needs to be updated then let’s do that as a community.”
St. Mary’s Catholic Independent School presented a letter outlining its support for the application.
“According to our discussions, we’ve been told that the proposed 23 unit tri-complex is to be a blend of rental and condominiums and will be aesthetically pleasing. We are pleased that the condo portion of the units would give stability to the area with hopefully long-term neighbours who would lead to respectful practices. The school is hopeful that the property will be well maintained, in keeping with the general tone of this lovely part of our city that so many families with young children access day-to-day. If things turn out as proposed, it seems like this will be a very good use of the land the church has sold,” stated Jerelynn MacNeil, school principal.
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