Nechako View Subdivision will include another eight lots after a successful re-zoning application by John Brink went before city council Monday.
That vote passed unanimously after an hour-long public session heard from three residents upset with much the same concerns that came before council in August when the subdivision was first approved. The added spots put the number of lots at 59 units, pulled from a nearby Nechako Road property owner willing to split their lot in two and sell the larger portion to J.A. Brink Investments Inc. Another 35 lots are coming down the line, too.
Coun. Jillian Merrick said she supported the request because it isn't a change in direction for council "nor does it change any of the issues really that are being brought forward by the neighbourhood.
"What it does is put us in a difficult spot of continuing to support the development of a site that is having some very serious challenges. And while the rezoning tonight is not specifically related to those challenges, we've seen this with multiple developments when there's tree removal or environmental works or promises perceived that are not kept, it affects the perception of the whole development and creates a very difficult decision-making for us," Merrick said.
That was a charge laid by one disgruntled Edgewood Terrace resident.
"Council continues to give developers preferential treatment at the expense of the community," said the woman, a resident since 1970 who worried about the uptick in traffic.
Consultant David McWalter, who spoke for Brink, said it's incorrect for residents to suggest all traffic will go through Edgewood Terrace.
"That is not the case," he said, referring to it as a secondary access point.
"We see this as revitalization of the neighbourhood," he said, which will keep the school healthy and "not closed."
Brink is "trying to build bridges in the neighbourhood" said McWalter, who is working with the school's parent advisory council to try to find ways to enhance the neighbourhood.
Paving has already started and Brink expects to start building homes this year.
As for anger about lack of green space and the number of trees cut, McWalter said "it's difficult if not impossible" to proceed with a modern subdivision without tree removal.
As many as 600 trees have since been replanted.
"Mistakes have been made. That mistake has been rectified," said McWalter, who also noted the city's development services chose not to have a park in the subdivision.
"They indicated they would prefer to receive cash in lieu of parkland dedication. That is the city's prerogative, it's not the developer's choice," McWalter said, adding the city will hopefully use those funds for enhancement of existing parks in the same neighbourhood.
L&M Engineering Ltd. offered council an updated traffic impact, which said the new lots wouldn't require a left-turn lane on North Nechako. It's expected that turn lane would occur during the 2017 construction, when a further 35 lots are to be built, a report said.
"This eight-lot expansion will maximize the residential density of the subject property and make the best use of existing municipal infrastructure," said L&M's Ashley Elliott, referring to its proximity to town, Edgewood Elementary and public transit makes it an "ideal location for new residential infill projects."
When approval of the subdivision was before council in late August, residents submitted 79 signatures calling for the entrance of Brink Place to the new subdivision be closed to traffic.
A further 50 residents participated in a May public session, and expressed concerns for traffic upticks, habitat disturbance and a desire for more green space.
Coun. Brian Skakun was the only councillor opposed to the development and was not at Monday's council meeting.
Coun. Terri McConnachie said council went through quite a process the first time around before it supported the subdivision.
"The handful of additional lots on the table at this point are not a deal breaker for me."
