Council has voted to move ahead with a rezoning application that would make way for a six story, 120-unit development at 2001, 2013 and 2019 Glenwood Drive.
This despite some members of the public coming forward to express opposition the proposal which was initially expected to be a four story complex.
Valleyview resident Craig Jefferson says he has a petition with more than 360 signatures that opposes the development-related applications. “Keep it to four levels addresses most of the concerns raised by the local community. With four levels, every unit has an off street parking spot. allowing six levels would result in seventy five to a hundred vehicles parked on the street with no sidewalks and no provisions for parking. This is a street used daily by children on bicycles, students walk in school seniors with walkers and families, etc.”
Garry Reed with At&T Project Developments, the applicant, says the city needs these types of projects. “If we stop projects like this from happening, we’ll end up right back where we are now, which is behind the curve. We need to change that. And the reason we’re in this housing crisis is because we have spent years and years saying, ‘Oh, it’s okay, you know, we’re all for development, but as long as it doesn’t affect my backyard and just not in this area,’ that doesn’t work.”
Councillor Bill Sarai says he understands the concerns residents have, but notes that the city needs more housing and saying no to this type of project sets a bad example. “I can’t theoretically tell my staff to go out year after year and find ways to dangle the carrot in front of developers to provide more housing, and then when it comes before me, also say, You know what, no, I don’t think we should do this because the neighborhood, it doesn’t fit the neighborhood. I get that it doesn’t fit the neighborhood. the neighborhood today, but it’ll fit the neighborhood in five years.”
Multiple councillors did voice concerns about the increased traffic this would bring to the area, but the Mayor ended up being the lone vote against the project. Council voted 6-1 in favour of the amendment to allow for two added stories. Councillor Dale Bass not in attendance on Tuesday and councillor Margot Middleton declared a conflict of interest.
The site is located within a five-minute walk of the site proposed for the Valleyview transit exchange. Staff said if the transit exchange goes ahead, the province is likely to designate the area as a transit-oriented area which means developments would be exempt from minimum parking requirements and permitted up to 10 stories.
