Dozens of residents packed West Kelowna council chambers Dec. 11 to voice concern over a massive condo development proposed in their neighbourhood.
Landvision Group is planning five four-storey buildings totalling 401 units at 2741 Auburn Road.
Over a 2.5-hour public hearing on the project residents from Terravita condos, which is next door and above the property, told council they are worried about traffic congestion, safety, environmental impacts and construction blasting.
害羞草研究所淲e are not against development and we understand there is a housing crisis,害羞草研究所� said Donalda Hunt, who represents a residents害羞草研究所� group. 害羞草研究所淲e still need to be respectful of the quality of life and safety of existing and new residents.害羞草研究所�
Opposition to the project came in the form of three petitions with 271 signatures as well as 21 individual submissions.
For the development to move forward road improvements are needed in the area, which is a particular concern for residents due to the proximity of Const. Neil Bruce Middle School and Highway 97.
One speaker noted that Landvision expects the build-out to take 10 years.
害羞草研究所淭his is 10 years of construction vehicles going in front of that school害羞草研究所ot to mention the additional traffic.害羞草研究所�
Staff told council that Central Okanagan Public Schools also had concerns about increased traffic around the school.
Road improvements include a roundabout at Daimler Drive and Auburn Road, restricting traffic at Old Okanagan Highway and Byland Road, and dual left turn lanes onto Highway 97 from Daimler Drive.
Landvision is proposing the approximately $1.7 million cost be split, with it paying 55 per cent and the city 45 per cent.
Kevin Bird, the owner of K West Homes which built Terravita, told council he didn害羞草研究所檛 understand how that could be allowed to happen.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e never been given that privilege of cost sharing. I害羞草研究所檝e always had to write the cheque. I don害羞草研究所檛 think it害羞草研究所檚 fair to burden the taxpayer on this.害羞草研究所�
Other speakers said the developer should be bearing the entire cost of improvements.
The terrain between Terravita and the project site is a rocky, heavily sloped hillside, and many residents said they害羞草研究所檝e experienced rockfall on their properties several times and are concerned about blasting during construction.
害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 concerned that if they start dynamiting into that mountain the rest of the mountain might end up in my backyard or worse still in my living room,害羞草研究所� said one man who lives in a ground floor unit.
Speaking on behalf of Landvision, consultant Rachel Sansom, noted that blasting is an 害羞草研究所榓larming activity.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淏ut it害羞草研究所檚 very well regulated by the blasting industry as well as their insurers,害羞草研究所� she added.
Other residents, including those not part of the Terravita property, voiced concerns about the impact of the project on wildlife and the environment.
Many felt a developer害羞草研究所檚 report was not detailed enough to address the risk to habitat, grasses, and trees on the hillside.
The original proposal for the site was for 220 units over three buildings. If the development is approved the condos will be available for rent or purchase.
害羞草研究所淭his project will help fulfill housing needs in the under-serviced condo and apartment market in West Kelowna,害羞草研究所� Sansom said.
Council is expected whether or not to approve the development at a future meeting.
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