Residents of the Thetis Heights neighbourhood in Langford packed a committee meeting Monday to voice concerns over a prospective Phelps Avenue development they say has already affected their way of life.
During a rezoning discussion on a proposed townhome/single family home project at 300 and 301 Phelps Ave., neighbours spoke about limited access in and out of the development, the removal of trees that served as a highway noise barrier and added density in an area without the current infrastructure to support it.
In the end, members of the cityB次元官网网址檚 planning, zoning and affordable housing committee voted to recommend that council approve the application to allow for B次元官网网址渕edium-density apartmentB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渟mall-lotB次元官网网址� development zoning, respectively, on the two lots B次元官网网址� though the wording was modified slightly based on resident concerns.
Some residents had questions about the number of units and the configuration of the structure(s) proposed for the B次元官网网址渁partmentB次元官网网址� lot. The developer has referred to them as B次元官网网址渢ownhouses,B次元官网网址� they said, but the rezoning would technically allow for an apartment complex should the developer feel inclined to go that direction instead.
Project proponent Les Bjola of Turner Lane Developments responded to the concerns by saying, B次元官网网址淭here is no interest in putting an apartment on the site.B次元官网网址� He added that he would be B次元官网网址渕ore than happyB次元官网网址� to amend the rezoning application to reflect that point and restrict the possibility of a future apartment complex. The condition was added to the committee recommendation that will go before council.
The developments are part of a multi-phase housing project that began last year on land running parallel to the Trans Canada Highway between Phelps and Bellamy Road.
Neighbours said Monday that the clearing of trees along the corridor has already negatively affected their way of life B次元官网网址� both in increased highway noise and by removing previously loved and used green space. Some predicted the increased density from this latest phase will lead to more challenges down the road in a neighbourhood that already has traffic, parking and infrastructure issues.
While a lot of information has been presented on the proposed development itself, one resident said, B次元官网网址渘o oneB次元官网网址檚 really addressing how people will be getting there.B次元官网网址� He said traffic would end up using Hansen Avenue, a residential street connecting Phelps and Bellamy.
B次元官网网址淗ansen is a sub-standard street. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no curb, thereB次元官网网址檚 no gutter, thereB次元官网网址檚 no sidewalk, thereB次元官网网址檚 no lighting, thereB次元官网网址檚 no off-street parking. WeB次元官网网址檙e going to increase the density at the end of Hansen and expect it to perform a duty it was never designed to do?B次元官网网址� he asked rhetorically.
Bjola said he will recommend to council that the development cost charges from these projects be earmarked for neighbourhood improvements, rather than going into the cityB次元官网网址檚 general amenities fund.
Despite the apparent compromises, Brooke Somers said later sheB次元官网网址檚 had enough. The Avery Court homeowner has purchased a house in another municipality and takes possession in mid-June.
B次元官网网址淚 have no desire to live here anymore,B次元官网网址� she told the Gazette after the meeting. She added that her real estate agent told her that her home would likely sell for $60,000 less than her hoped for listing price, due to these impending developments nearby.
B次元官网网址淚 guess I will have to wait for the development to fill and my property value to hopefully rise again (before selling),B次元官网网址� she said.
That could be a while, though.
B次元官网网址淲hen the market says that somebody will actually buy what weB次元官网网址檙e building, weB次元官网网址檒l build it,B次元官网网址� Bjola said.
The zoning recommendation goes before council on Tuesday (May 19) for public hearing.
