On Monday city council gave preliminary approval to rezone part of a gravel pit to pave the way for the development of a 64-lot subdivision at the southeast corner of Foothills Boulevard and North Nechako Road.
The proposed rezoning would affect an 11.4 hectare portion of the 27 ha. property, leaving the gravel pit on the site still operational. L&M Engineering made the application to the city on behalf of the developer, 406286 British Columbia Ltd.
"The remainder of the subject property will continue to operate as a gravel extraction pit and there are gravel pits to the south and west (i.e. across Foothills Boulevard) of the proposed development," city general manager of planning and development wrote in his report to city council. "The gravel extraction pits will be required to maintain a 100 (metre) buffer between the aggregate removal operations and the proposed developments, and to utilize dust control measures."
A conceptual plan for the subdivision calls for the creation of a trail and/or berm in a 20-metre wide landscape buffer along Foothills Boulevard and North Nechako Road. The proposed access to the subdivision would be off North Nechako Road at North Meadow Road.
On Monday, city council gave approval to the first two readings of the rezoning, but a public hearing will be held before the final reading goes before city council at a later date.
A community meeting was held in the area on Aug. 22 to gather input from residents of the North Meadows neighbourhood.
Primary concerns raised by the 42 people who attended were about the increased traffic on North Nechako Road, the lack of sidewalks for children going to school and the impact on increased students at nearby Edgewood elementary school, according to a summary report presented to council.
Coun. Brian Skakun said the proposed subdivision is "a substantial development," and residents will have a chance to address their concerns directly to council before the final reading is considered.
