Prince George city council took the first step towards approval a rezoning application that would pave the way for a Vanway-area property to be subdivided into two lots at its Monday, Aug. 18 meeting.
Jasdeep Singh Sran and Pamela Virk are applying to have 7346 Caribou Rd. rezoned from RS1m: Suburban Residential to RS2m: Single Residential.
The first three readings of a bylaw implementing that rezoning were approved unanimously by council.
Documents attached to the meeting agenda stated that back in April, the property owners applied to have the property subdivided into two lots. That application is on hold while the rezoning application is under consideration.
City staff wrote in a report that the owners intend to build a single-family residence on the new lot and then replace an existing modular home on the other lot with another single-family residence.
The RS1m and RS2m zones are almost identical, except that the minimum lot area and site coverage are smaller in RS2m zones. The rezoning application would allow for the subdivided lots to meet the minimum lot area requirement.
Staff are recommending that the rezoning be approved.
“A similar zoning change from RS1m to RS3 has been supported by council (Bylaw No. 9393, 2023) within the surrounding area,” the report said.
“Smaller lot sizes are seen to be supportable in this area due to the proximity and availability of city services (water and sanitary sewer) for residential uses. Additionally, the housing form and density proposed for this application is not expected to generate negative land use impacts within the neighbourhood.”
The city is not legally required to hold a public hearing for this application, but residents were able to send their thoughts on the proposal to council.
One letter from a nearby resident, Rhonda Karvali of 7315 Caribou Rd., was attached to the meeting agenda.
I am writing to disagree with anything more than a single-family dwelling going on that lot,” Karvali wrote. “I live kitty corner and I don't want to look out my living room and have up to two three-story homes right there.”
After the meeting adjourned, three residents from Caribou Road spoke up to complain about the proposed subdivision project, saying there are already issues with infrastructure like sewer backups without adding another home to the street.
The residents complained that they were not given notice of the council discussion and were unhappy they were not given a chance to speak. Under BC's small-scale multi-unit housing legislation, the city will not be required to hold a public hearing for the rezoning.
Mayor Simon Yu, city manager Walter Babicz and Coun. Ron Polillo went to speak with the residents about their concerns.
