The potential for eight residences on a quiet cul-de-sac was too much for Kelowna council to approve at a public hearing Feb. 14.

Councillors denied a proposed rezoning to allow a two-lot subdivision at 662 Berk Court, located in the North Mission-Crawford area.

The developer was intending to build two duplexes totalling four units on the property. However, the rezoning would allow secondary suites with the potential for eight residences.

Council was also concerned, as were neighbours at the hearing, about increased traffic, potential parking issues, and whether mature trees on the property would be saved.

Coun. Charlie Hodge, who voted against the rezoning, said he was torn, pointing out that the city needs housing, but was concerned about the potential for eight residences under the rezoning.

害羞草研究所淭his council has created this zone, and now we害羞草研究所檝e found the flaw in it.害羞草研究所�

The issues were also too much for Mayor Tom Dyas.

害羞草研究所淢y personal feeling is that at this point in time without the clarity we害羞草研究所檙e giving, it disrupts the neighbourhood,害羞草研究所� he said.

In supporting the application, Coun. Loyal Wooldridge noted that council may want to revisit its zoning bylaw.

害羞草研究所淭his is going to be the challenge as we wrestle with building more in neighbourhoods,害羞草研究所� he added.

Many neighbours who spoke against the development said it would change the 害羞草研究所榲ibe害羞草研究所� of their community, something Coun. Rick Webber called a 害羞草研究所榳eak argument.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淲e don害羞草研究所檛 know that, the people that move in might be nice, you might be really glad they moved in. They might have a dog and a kid, but it害羞草研究所檚 a prejudice.害羞草研究所�

During another public hearing later in the evening, council did approve similar rezoning for a property at 4371 Lakeshore Road. That application offered a covenant limiting a proposed duplex development to four units.

Coun. Wooldridge then put forth a motion directing staff to bring forward a report regarding the implications associated with the possible elimination of secondary suites within the RU4 zone.

害羞草研究所淚 think it害羞草研究所檚 only fair to applicants to understand where council is coming from.害羞草研究所�

The motion was passed by council.

READ MORE: Managing public open mic would be difficult: Kelowna council

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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