Despite misgivings and disagreements about cost sharing, council has moved forward with a contentious apartment development planned for Auburn Road.

LandVision wants to build five buildings totalling 401 units at , across from Constable Neil Bruce Middle School.

Major off-site works are needed including dual left turn lanes at Highway 97 and Daimler Drive, and restricting left turns and through traffic onto Byland Rd. and Old Okanagan Highway.

The developer has proposed a 55-45 percent split with the city to cover the approximately $1.8  million cost. The city害羞草研究所檚 share would be about $815,000 (45 per cent). 

At its July 23 meeting, staff told council there was no funding allocated in the 2024 draft budget, and the works were not identified in the 10-Year Capital or Transportation Master plans.

Staff recommended LandVision pay 100 per cent of the costs.

Councillor Rick de Jong preferred the split.

害羞草研究所淧rimarily because those off-site works we害羞草研究所檙e asking for, they害羞草研究所檙e already problems.害羞草研究所� 

However, de Jong added he would go with the will of council.

Coun. Jason Friesen said he would be happy with a 75 (developer) 25 (city) spilt pointing out the city needs affordable housing.

害羞草研究所淎s soon as we start adding these costs on the developer, the cost of that housing will also go up.害羞草研究所� 

While noting the need for more housing and road improvements, Mayor Gord Milsom favoured LandVision to pay the bill.

害羞草研究所淢y thoughts害羞草研究所�$800,000, 400 units at $2,000 a unit, I think the developer can probably afford it.害羞草研究所�

Other councillors argued that the city can害羞草研究所檛 afford it.

害羞草研究所淪taff has looked at this, they know whether or not we have the money and they say we don害羞草研究所檛,害羞草研究所� Coun. Tasha DaSilva said.

Coun. Stephen Johnston had concerns if the $1.8 million would be the final number.

害羞草研究所淚 note this doesn害羞草研究所檛 come with updated cost estimates. We害羞草研究所檙e assuming this is what the costs will be.害羞草研究所�

The city has stipulated that off-site work be completed before building construction could begin.

Councillors Carol Zanon and Garrett Millsap said if the development were to be built, the extension of Auburn Rd to Bartley Rd would be needed to help ease expected increased traffic.

害羞草研究所淲hen you have 400 more units there it becomes a necessity, otherwise you害羞草研究所檙e going to have the worst traffic mess in the city,害羞草研究所� Zanon added.

Millsap pointed out that the cost would be on the city.

害羞草研究所淟ooking at the connection we need to make to Bartley Rd., we need that $815,000 for that connection.害羞草研究所�  

Council voted unanimously to give third reading to a zoning amendment and have LandVision pay for 100 per cent of the off-site projects.